|
New Haven, Connecticut is home to the Southwest Ledge Lighthouse. Built in 1873 to help decrease boating accidents off the craggy shore of the rock formation that makes up the Southwest Ledge, it replaced a less effective light across the harbor at Five Mile Point. It was built on a cylinder-shaped iron foundation, the shape of which allowed floating winter ice to drift around the structure, rather than clog up at the base of a square or octagonal one.
Many people think that the Southwest Ledge light was put on display at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. However, according to the U.S. Lighthouse Society, the light that was actually on display at the exposition eventually went to Delaware; another tower identical to that shown at the exposition went to Southwest Ledge and became operational in 1877.
A hurricane in 1889 and other storms caused damage to the tower and its foundation, but it would be another 22 years before the damage was repaired. Finally, in 1953, the lighthouse’s kerosene light was lit for the final time, and the station became automated in August of that year.
While the lighthouse is not open to the public since it is still an active navigational aid for the U.S. Coast Guard and other mariners, it can be seen distantly from Lighthouse Park, from New Haven's Long Wharf, and from various sightseeing cruises from New Haven.
|
| |
