Stratford Point Light

Infobox Lighthouse


caption = Stratford Point Lighthouse
location = Stratford, Connecticut
coordinates = coord|41.1517|N|73.1033|W|type:landmark_region:US|name=Stratford Point Light|display=inline,title
yearbuilt = 1822
yearlit = 1881
automated = 1970
yeardeactivated =
foundation = Concrete
construction = Cast Iron with Brick lining
shape = Conical
height = convert|35|ft|m|abbr=on
currentlens =
lens = Third order Fresnel lens
range =
characteristic = white flashes every 20 s

Stratford Point Light is a historic lighthouse in Stratford, Connecticut,
United States, at the mouth of the Housatonic River. The second tower was one of the first prefabricated cylindrical lighthouses in the country and remains active.

It sits on a four-acre tract at the southeastern tip of Stratford Point.

History

The first Stratford Point Lighthouse was built in 1822. In 1855 a fifth order lens was added to the convert|28|ft|m|sing=on wooden tower. In 1881, the tower and dwelling were razed and replaced with a convert|35|ft|m|sing=on tall, brick lined cast-iron tower and equipped with a third order Fresnel lens. The light was automated in 1970 with a modern beacon. It is an active aid to navigation and is used for Coast Guard housing.

The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 29, 1990.

References

# "Lights & Legends, A Historical Guide to Lighthouses of Long Island Sound, Fishers Island Sound, and Block Island Sound", Harlan Hamilton, Westcott Publishing Company, 1987.
# "Northeast Lights: Lighthouses and Lightships, Rhode Island to Cape Mary, New Jersey", Robert G. Bachand, Sea Sports Publications, 1989.
# "Lighthouses of Southern New England: Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, A Pictorial Guide", Courtney Thompson, CatNap Publications, 2002.

External links

* [http://lighthouse.cc/stratford/ lighthouse.cc: Stratford Point Light]
* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=793 lighthousefriends.com: Inventory of Historic Light Stations]
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/stratpt.htm NPS.gov: Stratford Point, CT]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=41.1517+-73.1033+(Stratford%20Point%20Lighthouse)&t=h&hl=en&ll=41.1517,-73.1033&spn=0.0228,0.048709&t=h Location on Google Maps]
* [http://www.lordshiphistory.com/StratfordPointwebpage.html Stratford Point Lighthouse]