DUNKIRK (POINT GRATIOT)

Type:
Year Established:
1827
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1901
Dunkirk NY
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2009
Photo Credit:
Thomas Tag
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
POINT GRATIOT/LAKE ERIE
Latitude:
42° 29'38"
Longitude:
79° 21'16"
City / Town:
DUNKIRK
U.S. State:
New York
Location County:
CHAUTAUQUA
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. DUNKIRK (POINT GRATIOT)
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1876
Tower Construction Material:
RUBBLESTONE ENCASED IN BRICK
Tower Foundation:
DRESSED STONE
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
82 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
53.5 FT
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1875
Keeper's Quarters Style:
HIGH VICTORIAN GOTHIC
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
RED BRICK
Other Structures:
CISTERN, GARAGE, STORAGE BUILDING, BARN, OIL HOUSE (1875), BANDSTAND; RELOCATED TO MUSEUM: STEEL LIFESAVING BOAT (1926), 45-FOOT LIGHTHOUSE BUOY TENDER, 50-FOOT TOWER FROM DUNKIRK HARBOR (1939), 21-FOOT TOWER FROM GRAND ISLAND, NY (1929)

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
THIRD ORDER, FRESNEL
Original Optic Type:
THIRD ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1857
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Background:

  • 1826: The lighthouse was established at Point Gratiot and includes: a foundation made out of dressed stone; a lighthouse made out of rubblestone encased in brick; a square shaped tower with the upper two thirds being white and the lower one third being natural; and a red lantern housing.
  • 1857: The original lens is a third order Fresnel lens installed and is still in operation.
  • 1875-1876: A 61-foot stone tower and a beautiful Victorian residence were constructed to replace the original tower, which was threatened by erosion. These structures still stand today. Bricks from the original keeper's house formed the foundation for the new house. The old cylindrical tower was moved adjacent to the new keeper's residence. A square tower was built around the old tower "to be more compatible with the keeper's house and was lit.
  • 1960: The lighthouse was automated and is still operational and being still in use makes it a rarity.
  • 1984: The grounds of the lighthouse were leased by the Coast Guard to the Chatauqua County Armed Forces Memorial Park Corporation, a non-profit organization. The lighthouse and grounds are now The Dunkirk Lighthouse Museum.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017