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Connecticut Lighthouses
Connecticut - Connecticut Lighthouses
Connecticut lighthouses offer intimate view of New England seafaring life
The Sheffield Island Lighthouse in Norwalk may be one of the best places in New England to explore the living and working areas of a lighthouse and feel the world that the lighthouse keepers knew. Active from 1868 to 1902, the lighthouse is maintained by Norwalk Seaport Association volunteers. Visitors can take a ferry to the island, tour the 10-room lighthouse and keeper’s home, and walk the nature trail. Connecticut lighthouses also include Stonington Harbor Light, a lighthouse-turned-historical museum at the tip of the Stonington Borough, a dense village of old New England buildings and abundant flower gardens that is worth a visit all by itself. This lighthouse was once the beacon for vessels approaching from Long Island Sound. Now, as a museum, six rooms of exhibits depict the lives of Stonington's fishermen and farmers, merchants and shipbuilders, pottery makers, blacksmiths and many other trades. Visitors enjoy climbing the old iron steps of the tower for an exhilarating view in all directions.
Our thanks to the generous help of Jeremy D'Entremont. See more lighthouses at www.lighthouses.cc. Photos by Jeremy D'Entremont.
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Fayerweather Island Light (Black Rock Harbor Light)
Bridgeport, CT
Phone: 203-334-0293
Location: Fayerweather Island, Black Rock Harbor
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Accessibility: The lighthouse grounds are accessible from a parking area at the end of Barnum Boulevard at Seaside Park in Bridgeport. There is a mildly strenuous walk across a breakwater to the lighthouse. The tower itself is not open to the public. The facility: Lighthouse built in 1823. For information, contact Fayerweather Island Restoration Fund, c/o Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06605
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Great Captain Island Light
Greenwich, CT
Location: Western Long Island Sound
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Accessibility: The ferry to the island is open to Greenwich residents only. The lighthouse is not open to the public and is best seen by boat. The facility: Lighthouse built in 1868. Managed by the Town of Greenwich.
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Greens Ledge Light
Norwalk, CT
Location: Norwalk Islands, western Long Island Sound
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Accessibility: Can be reached by boat only. The lighthouse is not open to the public.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1902. Light flashes red and white every 12 seconds; fog signal is two blasts every 20 seconds.
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Pecks Ledge Light
Norwalk, CT
Location: Norwalk Islands, Long Island Sound
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Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public. It is best seen by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1906; flashes green every 2.5 seconds.
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Penfield Reef Light
Near Fairfield, CT
Location: Long Island Sound
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Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public. It can be seen distantly from the shore of Fairfield and Bridgeport, but is best seen by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1874. Light flashes red every six seconds; fog signal is one blast every 15 seconds.
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Sheffield Island Light
Norwalk, CT
Phone: 203-838-9444
Location: Sheffield Islands, entrance to Norwalk Harbor
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Accessibility: The lighthouse can be reached by ferry from Norwalk. The Norwalk Seaport Association’s covered ferry runs for tours of historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse from May through Labor Day and also conveys passengers for special events on the island. The 42-foot passenger vessel is certified and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. A tour of the lighthouse is included in the ferry trip.
The facility: Lighthouse built in 1868. Maintained by Norwalk Seaport Association, 132 Water Street, South Norwalk, CT 06854
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Stamford Harbor Light (Chatham Rock Light, Ledge Obstruction Light)
Stamford, CT
Location: Stamford Harbor
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Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public. It can be seen distantly from points on shore; it is best seen by boat.
The facility: Active private aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1882. Light flashes white every four seconds.
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Stratford Point Light
Stratford, CT
Location: Mouth of the Housatonic River, entrance to Stratford Harbor
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Accessibility: The station is home to a Coast Guard family and is not open to the public. Best views are by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1881. Light white flashes every 20 seconds.
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Stratford Shoal Light (Middleground Light)
Near Bridgeport, CT
Location: Western Long Island Sound, midway between Connecticut and Long Island.
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Accessibility: This lighthouse is not open to the public and is best seen by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1874-1877. Light flashes white every five seconds; fog signal is one blast every 15 seconds.
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Tongue Point Light (Bridgeport Breakwater Light, Bug Light)
Bridgeport, CT
Location: West side of Bridgeport Harbor entrance
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Accessibility: The lighthouse is on the grounds of a power plant and cannot be visited, but it can be seen distantly from some points on shore. A close view is possible from the Bridgeport to Port Jefferson ferry. The lighthouse is not open to the public.
The facility:
Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1895. Light flashes green every four seconds.
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Avery Point Light
Shennecossett Road
Groton, CT
Location: East side of Thames River, Pine Island Channel
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Accessibility: The tower is on the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut and is easily accessible. The tower is not open to the public. Directions: From I-95, take Exit 87, Route 349, the Clarence B. Sharp Highway. Turn right at the second traffic light onto Rainville Avenue. Turn left at the next traffic light onto Benham Road. Continue straight on Benham Road for approximately 1.7 miles to the Avery Point Campus at the University of Connecticut. It's a short walk from the parking area to the lighthouse. The facility: Lighthouse built in 1944. Light flashes green every four seconds.
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Lynde Point Light (Old Saybrook Inner Light)
Old Saybrook, CT
Location: West side of the mouth of the Connecticut River
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Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public. It is best seen by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1838. Light is fixed white.
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Morgan Point Light
Noank, CT
Location: West side of the mouth of the Mystic River
Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public and is best viewed by boat. The facility: Lighthouse built in 1868.
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New London Harbor Light
New London, CT
Phone: 860-447-2501
Location: West side of the entrance to New London Harbor
Accessibility: The keeper's house is privately owned and the station is not open to the public. The best views are from the water.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Owned by New London Maritime Society, 150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320. Lighthouse built in 1801. Light flashes three seconds white alternating with three seconds darkness.
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New London Ledge Light
Groton, CT
Phone: 860-445-9007
Location: Thames River, entrance to New London Harbor
Accessibility: The lighthouse is best seen by boat. Tours are available through Project Oceanology. At the Avery Point campus of the University of Connecticut.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Maintained by New London Ledge Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 855, New London, Connecticut. Lighthouse built in 1909. Light emits three white flashes and one red flash every 30 seconds; fog signal is two blasts every 20 seconds.
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Saybrook Breakwater Light (Saybrook Outer Light)
Near Old Saybrook, CT
Location: West side of the mouth of the Connecticut River
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Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public and is best viewed by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1886. Light flashes green every six seconds; fog signal is one blast every 30 seconds.
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Stonington Harbor Light
7 Water Street
Stonington, CT
Phone: 860-535-1440
Location: East side of Stonington Harbor
See Map
Accessibility: Lighthouse is now a museum. Open daily, May 1 – October 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The facility: Lighthouses built in 1840. Maintained by the Stonington Historical Society at PO Box 103, Stonington. Telephone is 860-535-1440.
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Faulkner's Island Light
Guilford, CT
Phone: 203-453-8400
Location: Long Island Sound
See Map
Accessibility: The island is a protected nesting area and is not open to the public most of the summer. There is usually an annual open house in September for those who can reach the island with their own boats.
The facility: Lighthouse built in 1802. Faulkner's Island is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. The lighthouse is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. The lighthouse and other buildings are maintained by Faulkner's Light Brigade, Guilford, Connecticut. Light flashes white every 10 seconds.
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Five Mile Point Light (New Haven Harbor Light, Old New Haven Light)
Near New Haven, CT
Phone: 203-946-8790
Location: New Haven Harbor, Long Island Sound
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Accessibility: The lighthouse is part of New Haven's Lighthouse Point Park. The grounds are open year-round but the tower is not open on a regular basis. For more information, contact the Lighthouse Point Park rangers at (203) 946-8790.
The facility: Lighthouse built in 1847. Information on lighthouse restoration project available from Ed Condon at 203-640-4940.
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Southwest Ledge Light
New Haven, CT
Location: Entrance to New Haven Harbor
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Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public and is best seen by boat. It can be seen distantly from Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1877. Light flashes red every five seconds; fog signal is one blast every 15 seconds.
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Duke Robillard -- Norfolk, CT September 3, 2010 |
A Taste of The Litchfield Hills -- Lakeville, CT September 4, 2010 to September 6, 2010 |
Prudence Crandall Day -- Canterbury, CT September 4, 2010 |
Giant Pand Guerilla Dub Squad -- Norfolk, CT September 5, 2010 |
Anniversary Celebration Concert & Reception with Shanghai String Quartet -- Falls Village, CT September 5, 2010 |
Wang Chung -- Norfolk, CT September 9, 2010 |
High Hopes Hoedown – Lyme, CT September 11, 2010 |
Roxbury Farm Tour -- Roxbury, CT September 11, 2010 |
Guitar Under the Stars -- Hartford, CT September 11, 2010 |
Eli's Farm Dinner -- Hamden, CT September 11, 2010 |
A Colonial Girl's Day Out -- West Hartford, CT September 11, 2010 |
Friends, Family, and Unity Day -- Middletown, CT September 11, 2010 |
Ronnie Spector --Norfolk, CT September 11, 2010 |
Geology-of-the-Giant Hike -- Hamden, CT September 12, 2010 |
Arts Festival -- Trumbull, CT September 12, 2010 |
End of Summer 5-Star Clambake -- Wethersfield, CT September 12, 2010 |
End of Summer 5-Star Clambake -- Wethersfield, CT September 12, 2010 |
Architecture in the Post-Civil War & Pre-Guilded Age -- Norwalk, CT September 16, 2010 |
Young Dubliners -- Norfolk, CT September 17, 2010 |
Harvest Dinner Under the Stars -- South Glastonbury, CT September 17, 2010 |
Chilifest -- New Haven, CT September 18, 2010 |
Cornfest -- Wethersfield, CT September 18, 2010 |
Irish Festival -- Milford, CT September 18, 2010 |
Incredible India Festival -- Hartford, CT September 18, 2010 |
Northeast Waterfowl Festival & Carving Competition -- East Hartford, CT September 18, 2010 to September 19, 2010 |
Fly-In & Classic Car Show -- Simsbury, CT September 19, 2010 |
Sunday in the Park -- New Haven, CT September 19, 2010 |
Dinner on the Hill -- Farmington, CT September 19, 2010 |
Great Big Sea -- Norfolk, CT September 19, 2010 |
Native American Heritage Walk -- Washington, CT September 19, 2010 |
Brews and Blues Beer Tasting -- Mystic, CT September 23, 2010 |
Norwalk Boat Show -- Norwalk, CT September 23, 2010 to September 26, 2010 |
Blues Traveler -- Westport, CT September 24, 2010 |
Chrysanthemum Festival - Bristol September 25, 2010 to September 26, 2010 |
Outdoor Antiques Show -- Lebanon, CT September 25, 2010 |
Hearth Cooking Demonstration -- Wethersfield, CT September 25, 2010 |
Apple Festival & Craft Show -- Old Saybrook, CT September 25, 2010 |
Celebrating Agriculture -- Woodstock, CT September 25, 2010 |
Miranda Vineyard Pig Roast -- Goshen, CT September 25, 2010 |
Family Nature Day -- Litchfield, CT September 25, 2010 |
Pipes in the Valley Celtic Festival -- Hartford, CT September 25, 2010 |
Fall Fair -- Redding, CT September 25, 2010 |
Judy Collins -- Bridgeport, CT September 25, 2010 |
Candlewood Harvest Fest -- Danbury, CT September 25, 2010 |
Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors -- Norfolk, CT September 26, 2010 |
Autumn in the Park Fine Arts Festival -- Stafford Springs, CT September 26, 2010 |
Fall Wildflower Hike -- Hamden, CT September 26, 2010 |
"A Chorus Line" – New Haven, CT October 1, 2010 to October 3, 2010 |
Gladys Knight -- Ledyard, CT October 2, 2010 |
Capitol Steps – New Haven, CT October 7, 2010 |
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artists Tour -- Ledyard, CT October 8, 2010 |
So You Think You Can Dance Tour -- Ledyard, CT October 9, 2010 |
Mystic Seaport Chowderfest -- Mystic, CT October 9, 2010 to October 11, 2010 |
Spirits of Old Wethersfield -- Wethersfield, CT October 9, 2010 |
Harvest Fair -- West Hartford, CT October 16, 2010 |
“Hair” – New Haven, CT October 22, 2010 to October 24, 2010 |
Je'Caryous Johnson's “Cheaper To Keep Her” – New Haven, CT October 29, 2010 to October 30, 2010 |
Joan Baez – New Haven, CT November 5, 2010 |
A Night to Remember – New Haven, CT November 6, 2010 |
Aretha Franklin -- Ledyard, CT November 20, 2010 |
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