Alternate Name(s):
Saybrook
Type:
Year Established:
1803
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1908
Download:
Lynde Point CT 1838 Distant view.jpeg (593.82 KB)
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Collection / Donor:
LOCATION
Location:
CONNECTICUT RIVER/LONG ISLAND SOUND
Latitude:
41° 16.3'
Longitude:
72° 20.6'
City / Town:
OLD SAYBROOK
U.S. State:
Connecticut
Location County:
MIDDLESEX
Country:
United States
OWNER & ACCESS
Open to Public:
No
STRUCTURE
Year Tower Established:
1839
Tower Construction Material:
BROWNSTONE BLOCKS
Tower Foundation:
GRANITE PIER
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
71 feet above water
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
64 feet
Tower Shape:
OCTAGONAL
Tower Daymark:
White
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
WOOD
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1966
Keeper's Quarters Style:
DUPLEX
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
MASONRY
OPTICS
Current Optic:
FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Original Optic Type:
10 LAMPS, 9" REFLECTORS later 5th Fresnel
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
More Information
Entered by:
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017
Original lighthouse was wooden and made by master carpenter Abishai Woodward for $2,200.
The lighthouse was 35 feet tall, 20 feet in diameter with an iron lantern (6' 10" in diameter, 7'3" tall)
First day of service was August 17, 1803.
March 3, 1832, Congress appropriates $5,000 to remove the wood tower and replace with the present tower.
No one bid, so an additional $2,500 was appropriated
On August 18, 1838 a joint contract went to the three lowest bidders: Jonathan Scranton, Volney Pierce and John Wilcox.
Second tower was to be built of granite, 25 feet in diameter at the base, 12 at the top, walls 5 feet thick.
The second tower was erected in 1838.
The Wood tower was moved 50 feet to the south so that there was no interruption with lighting the way for mariners
Whale oil gave way to kerosene on August 25, 1879
In 1890, the fourth order lens was replaced by an 1881 fixed, fifth order Fresnel lens, from Barbier & Fenstre . It remained in service until it was removed in 1932.
The lighthouse was electrified in 1958.
The Keeper's dwelling was demolished in 1966.