Hudson-Athens Light

Infobox_Lighthouse

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caption = Hudson-Athens Lighthouse
location = Hudson River, between Athens and Hudson
coordinates =
yearlit = 1874
automated = 1949
yeardeactivated =
foundation = Granite caisson
construction = Dressed Stone and red brick
shape = Square, red brick, granite trim
height = convert|46|ft|m|0|abbr=on
lens = fifth order Fresnel, 1926; currently 300 mm light
range = convert|4|nmi|km|0
characteristic = Green light occulting every 4 sec; Fog bell mechanism at 15 sec intervals

The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, sometimes called the Hudson City Light, is a lighthouse located in the Hudson River in the state of New York in the United States. Constructed in 1873, it marks a sandy ridge known as Middle Ground Flats and also acts as a general aid to navigation of the river. The station is built on a granite caisson with a unique shape designed to protect it from ice floes and river debris. The dwelling is constructed in the Second Empire architectural style, with a Mansard roof. It is considered to be virtually a twin of the Stepping Stones Light in Long Island Sound, which was constructed just a few years later.

History

The station's beacon was originally lighted by Henry D. Best, the station's first lightkeeper, on November 14 , 1874. [ [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=677 Hudson (Hudson-Athens) Lighthouse, New York at Lighthousefriends.com ] ] It was upgraded to a fifth-order Fresnel lens in 1926, and the station was fully automated on November 10, 1949. [ [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/LHNY.html New York Light Stations ] ] In 1967, the Hudson River Valley Commission, led by Nelson A. Rockefeller, suggested that certain lighthouses owned by the United States Coast Guard be turned over to not-for-profit historical groups to ensure their preservation and upkeep. Hudson-Athens was the first station to be tried through such a program, and on February 15, 1984, a 20-year lease was signed between the Coast Guard and the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (HALPS). [ [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/LHNY.html New York Light Stations ] ] In 2000, title to the station was turned over permanently to HALPS. [ [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=677 Hudson (Hudson-Athens) Lighthouse, New York at Lighthousefriends.com ] ] Today, the Preservation Society conducts occasional tours of the station, which is being restored to its condition as it would have been in the 1930s.

Chronology from USCG web site

*1872: Congress of U.S. approves $35,000.00 to build the light.
*1873 - 1874: Light was constructed.
*1874, November 14: Light was put into operation with Henry D. Best as the first keeper.
*1949, November 10: The light was automated.
*1940's: Electricity was installed.
*1967: Nelson A. Rockefeller established the Hudson River Valley Commission, which suggested the USCG deed over or lease lighthouse facilities to public or not-for-profit groups for maintenance and preservation.
*1982: Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society was formed.
*1984, February 15: A 20 year lease between the Lighthouse Preservation Society and the USCG was signed. This was the first lease of its kind.
*2002: Occasional tours are available to the public through the Lighthouse Preservation Society

References

External links

* [http://www.hudsonathenslighthouse.org/ Official site of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society ]
* [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=677 Lighthousefriends.com page on the Hudson-Athens Light]
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/hudson.htm U.S. National Parks Service page on Hudson-Athens]
* [http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/lighthouses/object.cfm?id=65 Smithsonian National Museum of American History page on Hudson-Athens]
* [http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/LHNY.html U.S. Coast Guard official listing of light stations in New York State]