Wikipedia update (2021): The Save Esopus Lighthouse Commission leased the lighthouse from the United States Coast Guard in 1990 for the purposes of restoration. They eventually took ownership in September 2002, as part of the pilot program for the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.

It is the last wooden lighthouse in existence on the Hudson and the only Hudson lighthouse with a clapboard exterior. One of a group of lighthouses in the Northeast built to an award-winning design by a Vermont architect, Albert Dow, Esopus Meadows Light has sister lights at Rose Island Light, Sabin Point, Pomham Rocks, and Colchester Reef.

Wikipedia update (2021): 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). In 2000, title to the station was turned over permanently to HALPS. 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.

The Lighthouse was documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) as survey number NY-6286.

The 1926 5th-Order Fresnel is currently at Mystic Seaport Museum.

Driving over the great expanse of the George Washington Bridge, commuters may not be aware that one of New York’s most historic maritime landmarks is very close by. Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse originally stood as the east beacon of the Sandy Hook Range Lights beginning around 1881. In 1917, the small cast iron sentinel was dismantled to remove it from the line of fire of a new coastal artillery battery. For the next 4 years, the lens and lighting apparatus remained in storage at the Tompkinsville Depot on Staten Island.

In 1921, the lighthouse was reassembled on the banks of the Hudson River in New York City overlooking Fort Washington Point. On the 21st of October, the brightly painted station, designated as Jeffrey’s Hook Light, was illuminated for the first time. Shortly thereafter, news of a massive bridge project connecting New York City to Fort Lee, New Jersey, was announced. When the groundbreaking ceremony for the George Washington Bridge took place in 1927, loudspeakers were placed in the lantern room deck of Jeffrey’s Hook. It was a joyous occasion, but one that spelled doom for the lighthouse’s future.

By the time the 4,760' bridge opened to traffic in October of 1931, it was already obvious that Jeffrey’s Hook Light had outlived its usefulness. Over the next 20 years, although operation of the light continued unabated, marines found the beacon unnecessary for safe navigation. In 1942, Hildegarde Hoyt Swift wrote a wonderful children’s tale about the plight of the small sentinel, entitled The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge. Children embraced “Little Red” as their own, the the story soon became a classic.

After the Coast Guard retired Jeffrey’s Hook from active service in 1951, they prepared to auction the station as surplus government property. The highest bidder would be required to remove the building from its foundation. Apparently, the Coast Guard greatly underestimated the popularity of the beacon. Letters poured in from children, urging officials to save their beloved Little Red Lighthouse. On the final day before the auction, the City Park Commissioner persuaded the Coast Guard to transfer the light to the city for the sake of the children. Jeffrey’s Hook became a permanent part of Fort Washington Park.

Over the next 3 decades, the lighthouse gradually fell into disrepair. Neglect and vandalism took their toll. Finally, in the mid 1980s, Jeffrey’s Hook Light was repaired and the grounds at Fort Washington Park were greatly improved. Since 1992, the Urban Park Rangers have sponsored an annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival at the park for families and children. The “Little Red Lighthouse under the Great Grey Bridge” has not been forgotten.

Although it was known as Rondout II, this Hudson River landmark lighthouse was the 3rd structure to be built at the convergence of Rondout Creek and the Hudson River between 1837 and 1915. Today, the yellow brick structure is the centerpiece of the Popular Hudson River Maritime Museum, which chronicles the historic region with its ships, lighthouse tours and other relics of the famous river. At its height, there were 14 Hudson River sentinels–today there are 7, the Statue of Liberty qualifies as one of them. The river was treacherous, the US Lighthouse Establishment tried to create a system of lamplighters who hung lanterns at particularly dangerous points to warn sailors.

The first lighthouse was a wooden structure built on the south side of the creek. Ice floes and tidal currents proved too much for the valiant sentinel and it was replaced 30 years later with a bluestone house built on a cut stone base. This was Rondout I.

In 1913, after the creek was dredged and the 2nd lighthouse was abandoned, Rondout II was lit on August 2, 1915. The beacon had a 6th-Order Fresnel lens with a 52' focal plane.

The Murdock family served as keepers for all 3 Rondout sentinels. George came to the 1st lighthouse in 1856 with his pregnant wife, Catherine, and 2 small children. Less than a year, he drowned returning to the lighthouse with supplies.

Though there were applications for the position, local townspeople urged the appointment of Catherine and she was officially named head keeper in 1857, remaining in that vital role for the next 50 years. After servicing both the 1st and 2nd lighthouses, she retired in 1907 and was succeeded by her son, James, who had been assistant keeper since 1880. James moved to Rondout II when it was built in 1915 and he retired in 1923.

Rondout II was automated in 1954 and fell into disrepair without a keeper. In 1984, the Hudson River Maritime Museum entered into a long-term lease with the USCG, restoring the interior and exterior over a 4-year period. The interior décor is representative of the 1930s.

An authentic launch owned by the Museum transports visitors to the lighthouse through the summer months for tours. The historic Rondout waterfront community is filled with shops and boutiques, reminiscent of the 19th- Century, and many events attract tourists to the area. Research via the internet in 2021 at this writing indicates these tours are ongoing.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Hudson River served as a major transportation artery. Providing a direct connection for passengers and cargo traveling between Albany and the Atlantic Ocean. It is often forgotten, however, that until the advent of lighted navigational aids, such travel was restricted to daylight hours. River lights, which began to appear in the earl 1800s, allowed commerce to continue unimpeded around the clock.

To aid the numerous cargo ships and passenger ferries, officials decided to build a light station at Saugerties in 1869. A previous stone lighthouse, built in 1834 on a river and sandbar, had long since fallen into disrepair. Situation on a solid stone pier, the new building would best be described as a 2-story, brick Italianate structure. A 6th-Order Fresnel lens, smallest of the French-designed lens, complete the square tower, and provided adequate light for approaching river traffic.

During its 85 years of active service, no less than 21 keepers tended Saugerties Light, including 2 women. One of the women, Kate Crowley, came from a long line of lightkeepers. She was a powerful, able-bodied woman, who took to her duties as well as any male keeper. When winter winds turned the Hudson into a sheet of ice, and shipping came to a standstill, Kate was well known for her ice skating skills on the frozen river. She served with distinction from 1873 to 1885.

By the mid-1950s, the Coast Guard began to automate many of our river lights. In 1954, the Saugerties station was permanently closed, and the light moved to a nearby steel tower. Over the next 20 years, the ravages of time and neglect took a serious toll on this one proud lighthouse. Were it not for local citizens, officials would have torn down this historic treasure. A determined non-profit organization, the Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy, has made a monumental effort to restore Saugerties Light to its former glory. Today (1996), the lighthouse appears much as it did a century ago, thanks to this team of faithful volunteers. Tours of this “living museum” are available weekends and holidays during the summer or by appointment.

Taken from Keeper’s Log on March 17, 2021: Welcome! The trail is open to from sunrise to sunset. The riverside deck remains closed to the public. The lighthouse B&B is open for existing reservations only; no new bookings at this time. Please follow state and local health advisories including wearing a mask when encountering other on the narrow trail. No large groups. No public restroom at this time. Proper hiking footwear recommended. Be alert for tides and changing weather conditions. www.saugertieslighthouse.com

Between Tarrytown and Nyack, motorists have the privilege of viewing a historic lighthouse–Tarrytown Light. Although the lantern no longer casts its steady beacon, the handsome sentinel is a wonderful reminder of the Hudson River’s glory days.

In 1882, construction began on a light station on the eastern side of the Hudson River, about 25 miles north of New York City. Built to warn mariners of shoals near the eastern shore of the river, the caisson-style tower were erected on an offshore stone pier. Similar to Robbins Reef Light on Staten Island, the caisson and tower were constructed almost entirely of cast iron. Rising 56' above the water, the sentinel was the southernmost in a series of 8 lighthouses established on the Hudson. On October 1, 1883, the 4th-Order Fresnel lens was illuminated for the first time.

Tarrytown Light’s first keeper was Jacob Ackerman, a 57-year-old former schooner master. In spite of his advanced years, he is credited with pulling 19 people from the river while a keeper at Tarrytown. Keeper Ackerman remained at his post of 21 years. Although small in appearance, the tower held ample living quarters for Jacob and is wife. They even managed to find room for a flock of chickens and several cats! During his idle hours, Jacob love to paint and fish in the Hudson’s fertile waters.

In 1957, the beacon was automated. In 1974, the County of Westchester acquired the lighthouse. Several years later, the station was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years, the eastern edge of the river has gradually filled in, moving the light closer to the shoreline. Today, a footbridge connects the light to the mainland at Kingsland Point Park. The sentinel houses a small museum operated by the County Park’s Commission. It is open by appointment only.

For much of this century, the Hudson River was dying. Raw sewage and industrial waste slowly destroyed the once thriving river. Because of conservation efforts, today, the river is back. Striped bass, herring, shad and sturgeon once again the river home.

CONDITION: Very good. Displayed for a short time in glass-enclosed curio cabinet.

Each piece will be double boxed and packed for a 30' drop should that occur in handling. Shipper only insures first $50 valuation at no additional cost. PLEASE NOTE:  I will only refund this amount ($50) if damage occurs unless buyer has purchased additional insurance. If buyer wishes additional insurance, the cost associated with additional insurance will be calculated and buyer will pay additional cost.  PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT INSURANCE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PRIOR TO MAKING PAYMENT. 

If damaged in shipping, buyer must save damaged carton to show shipper’s rep condition of boxes.

NOTE: for the most part, I only collected full size Harbour Lights. GLOWS and Little Lights of Mine will be clearly identified as such should I find I have any.