FORT NIAGARA

Type:
Year Established:
1823
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1903
Fort Niagara NY
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2004
Photo Credit:
Thomas Tag
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
NIAGARA RIVER/S. SHORE LAKE ONTARIO
Latitude:
43° 15'42"
Longitude:
79° 03'40"
City / Town:
YOUNGSTOWN
U.S. State:
New York
Location County:
NIAGARA
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. FORT NIAGARA
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1993
Year Tower Established:
1872
Tower Construction Material:
LIMESTONE/BRICK LINING
Tower Foundation:
NATURAL/EMPLACED
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
89.5 FT ABOVE WATER
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
60 FT
Tower Shape:
OCTAGONAL
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1897
Keeper's Quarters Style:
QUEEN ANNE
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
WOOD
Other Structures:
IRON PLATE OIL HOUSE (CA. 1900-1905)

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Current Optic:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1859
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1759: Britain gained control of Fort Niagara, after a nineteen-day siege during the French & Indian War.
  • 1781: The British placed a beacon on the roof of the fort due to the increase in vessels on the Great Lakes after this particular conflict. This beacon was the first unofficial lighthouse on the Great Lakes. The primary purpose for this light was to keep vessels from drifting too far west of the fort at night.
  • 1815: The United States captured the Fort for a second time at the end of the War of 1812. The roof light remained active until 1803.
  • 1822: Congress approved funds for a new lighthouse. A wooden tower, housing a pedestal and lamp, was erected atop the “French Castle.” The need for the light diminished after the Erie Canal opened in 1825.
  • 1858: The tower received a new lantern room and Fresnel lens. The number of panes in the lantern room were reduced from 150 to 9 of larger size. This helped increase the visibility of the light.
  • 1868: There were complaints that the tower was “old and out of repair.” 
  • 1871: Congress approved $16,000, and plans for a new 50 foot octagonal limestone tower with attached oil room were drawn up. Work on the structure began in July 1871, which was to be placed outside the fort’s walls near the stone keeper’s dwelling. The Fresnel lens was transferred from the old tower and was exhibited on June 10, 1872.
  • 1900: The focal plane for the light was raised to 11 feet, 4 inches when a brick watch room was added between the top of the stone tower and the lantern room.
  • 1993: The Coast Guard decommissioned the lighthouse rather than remove or trim roughly 50 trees that began to obscure the lighthouse. The Coast Guard replaced the light with a light on a nearby radio tower. 
  • The lighthouse is currently under lease to the Old Fort Niagara Association. It has kept a small museum and gift shop in the tower. The Fresnel lens was removed in 1995, and is currently being stored at Old Fort Niagara.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017