Stratford Point Lighthouse, mouth of the Housatonic, Stratford, Connecticut
Originally built in 1822, current structure built in 1881.
STRATFORD POINT LIGHT
Location: Mouth of the Houstonic River near Stratford, Connecticut
Station Established: 1822
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1881
Operational? YES
Automated? 1970
Deactivated: N/A
Foundation Materials: CONCRETE
Construction Materials: CAST IRON/BRICK LINING
Tower Shape: CONICAL
Markings/Pattern: WHITE WITH BROWN BAND MIDWAY
Relationship to Other Structure: SEPARATE
Original Lens: THIRD ORDER FRESNEL
Fog Signal: Bell
Historical Information:
- In 1822 the first Stratford Point Light was built on the west side of the Housatonic River. In 1855 a fifth order lens was added to the 28-foot wooden tower. In 1864 a fog bell and bell tower were added to the station.
- By 1867 the original tower was in bad shape and the keeper’s quarters were considered too small for a keeper and an assistant.
- A 35-foot cast iron tower and Gothic Revival style keeper’s house were built in 1881. The tower was equipped with a third order Fresnel lens. The tower was one of the first prefabricated cylindrical lighthouses in the country. A new fog bell was added in 1881 as well.
- In 1969 the lantern room was removed to make way for the new automated beacon. The lantern was given to the Stratford Historical Society. In 1990 a smaller optic was installed in the lighthouse. The original lantern was refurbished and reinstalled at that time.
- It is an active aid to navigation and is used for Coast Guard housing. It is not currently open to the public.
Researched and written by Melissa Buckler, a Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Light House Society volunteer.