Faulkner's Island

Type:
Year Established:
1802
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1908
Faulkner's Island
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Credit:
Jeremy D'Entremont
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
Off Guilford Harbor/Long Island Sound
Latitude:
41° 12.7'
Longitude:
72° 39.2'
City / Town:
Guilford
U.S. State:
Connecticut
Location County:
New Haven
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. Faulkner's Island
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1802
Tower Construction Material:
Brownstone/Brick lining
Tower Foundation:
Fieldstone
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
94 feet above water
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
94
Tower Shape:
Octagonal
Tower Daymark:
White
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1922
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
Brick/Masonry
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1802
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
Wood
Other Structures:
2 Cisterns, Wood Boathouse (Circa 1940), Jetty, Observation shelter, Wharf & Breakwater

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
190 MM, Solar Powered
Original Optic Type:
9 Lamps, 16" Reflectors later 4th order Fresnel
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
Yes

More Information

Documents Photographs Postcards Architectural Plans Newspaper Clippings Objects People
Comments:
  • Constructed John McComb, Jr. & Abisha Woodward
  • Original light came from 12 lamps with parabolic reflectors
  • 1856 - 4th Order Fresnel lens installed
  • 1858 - new (poorly built) Keepers dwelling constructed
  • 1871 - second story added to dwelling
  • Keeper Eli Kimberly adds a bowling alley and bar to the station, but on the 4th of July 1829, drunk men destroy much of the station and soon thereafter alcohol sales are prohibited at light stations
  • November 1858, Keeper Oliver Brooks rescues 5 people from a grounded schooner
  • Despite having a fog bell, over 100 ships wrecked near the station
  • 1879 - A steam whistle is finally installed to replace the inadequate fog bell
  • March 15, 1976 - Fire destroys everything at the station, except the tower.
  • The light is automated after the fire. The departing Coasties leave a pair of rabbits on the island, which quickly breed and start an entire colony. Many were removed to control the population and protect other wildlife.
  • 1990- lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places
    • Entered by:
    t.wheeler
    Entered Date:
    Jul 20, 2017