Although it made it through the American Revolution unscathed, the lighthouse developed a large crack. It was replaced in 1801 by a stone and cast iron structure, which was automated in 1912, and remains in operation to this day as an active aid to navigation, warning mariners away from dangerous Sarah Ledge. The original tower still stands and is the oldest existing lighthouse in Connecticut.
By the early 20th century New London had made the transition from whaling center to industrial city. Because New London Harbor Light was not sufficient to direct vessels around the dangerous ledges and the entrance to the harbor, New London Ledge Light was built in 1909.This lighthouse, which is located in the Thames River at the entrance to the New London Harbor, is by far one of the most fascinating lighthouses to me. No classic lighthouse design in evidence here! First time observers of Ledge Light are amazed to see a stately red brick building with a mansard roof and granite detailing. This distinctive French Second Empire style was the choice of the wealthy homeowners on the local coastline - they wanted a structure in keeping with the elegance of their own homes. However, many of these large estates near the shore were destroyed in the 1938 hurricane - leaving the New London Ledge Light as one of the few examples in the local area of this elegant period in architecture.
Avery Point Light in Groton is actually the last lighthouse that was ever built in Connecticut. When the wealthy industrialist Morton F. Plant died in 1938, his estate at Avery Point was sold to the State of Connecticut. In 1941, the U.S. Coast Guard converted the site into a training station, and built Avery Point Light to serve as a symbol of the Coast Guard's lighthouse keeping duties. It was operated as a private aid to navigation for the next 27 years. When the Coast Guard left the site in 1967, the lighthouse was extinguished and became the property of the State of Connecticut.
As can be expected, the tower has deteriorated to the point of being considered a safety hazard. However, efforts to restore the tower, which may carry a price tag upwards of $125,000, have not been successful. The American Lighthouse Foundation started a fund for the restoration of the tower, and local residents have formed a preservation group: Avery Point Lighthouse Society. This organization has the support of the Groton Town Council, and accepts contributions through their P.O. Box 1552 in Groton. They may also be contacted at 64 Pleasant Street; Email address: APLS1941@aol.com
Stonington Harbor Light and Latimer Reef Light
A wonderful morning outing for Groton Long Point Connecticut children and adults alike is a trip to historic Stonington to explore the Stonington Harbor Light, converted into The Old Lighthouse Museum in 1925. (The museum is open daily, from 10 AM to 5 PM, during July and August. Phone: 860 535-1440.)
In the 19th century, Stonington harbor was a thriving center for shipbuilding, whaling, fishing and trade. It's first lighthouse, a large stone tower built in 1823 on Windmill Point, directed vessels coming in from Long Island Sound by a series of oil lamps and reflectors. After15 years, the lighthouse had deteriorated to the point where it needed to be replaced. The original structure was dismantled and used for a new tower and keeper's home - these buildings comprise the current museum property. You can view fascinating exhibits in the six rooms on display - and climb up the tower for a magnificent view of three states!
This stone structure became obsolete in 1889 when a cast-iron lighthouse was erected on a breakwater in Stonington Harbor - replaced by a skeleton tower in the 1920s.
The name of Latimer Reef Light indicates one of the primary functions of lighthouses: to warn boats away from dangerous areas. Latimer Reef is located at the east end of Fishers Island Sound, about 4 miles southeast of Mystic. An iron spindle served to mark the reef as early as 1800; it was replaced by a buoy, and then a lighthouse in 1884.
Latimer Reef Light is a typical example of offshore "sparkplug" lighthouses. It is a four-story cast iron structure: three stories inside the tower were living quarters, the 4th was a watch deck - and the building was topped off by the lantern room.
What types of personalities would you think are best suited to life in a lighthouse? The number of women keepers surprised me - and, true to the social and political climate of the times, when female keepers are mentioned in the histories of lighthouses, their housekeeping skills (or lack of) were carefully noted . . . male keepers' prowess in that regard was never reported! I discovered one interesting concession to male behavior traits: the Coast Guard lighthouse keeper crews always consisted of three men, rather than two. The rational here: in the event that a fight broke out between two of the men, the third man would be available to break it up.
One keeper, at Latimer Reef Light, learned to paint in his spare time, and later made his living as an artist. He would also row ashore on Saturday nights to play saxophone in a jazz band. As I talked with several GLP locals about lighthouses, they shared some fun stories about their fairly routine visits to nearby sites - and told me about their exciting adventures involving bringing homemade food items and a welcome bit of human contact to these stalwart lighthouse dwellers.
The solitude and beauty of a lighthouse keeper's lifestyle has obviously been an attraction to many individuals. One keeper was quoted as saying, “After a week ashore, I can't wait to get back here.” But he recognized that it wasn't for everybody as he added, “This might be an ideal place for a loner, but it would drive whoever lives with him up a wall.” His simple conclusion: “You get a lot of time to think.”
