Local Lighthouses
New London Harbor Light
New London Harbor
Lighthouse
sits along the shore where the Thames River blends into Long Island
Sound. It is surrounded by private residences and is not open to the
public. The first beacon was built in 1760. Down the beach a
short distance from the lighthouse, Revolutionary War traitor
Benedict Arnold led the British ashore, whereupon they marched on,
burned and sacked New London. Our Ledge Light web cam is only
a few blocks from the lighthouse. I sometimes wonder if I dig deeply
enough in the back yard of the 35 Neptune Ave. house, if I'll find
some remnant of that event.
New
England Lighthouses: Virtual Guide,
New London Ledge Light
History of New London Ledge
Lighthouse.
This
unusual mansion like brick structure reflects the turn of the
century architectural preferences of local land owners.
Ledge Light, so the story goes,
is haunted by a former lighthouse tender who lost his wife to
another man. The poor fellow committed suicide and has not left the
place since.
According to
New
England Lighthouses: Virtual Guide,
"by the early 20th century New London, with its protected
harbor at the mouth of the Thames River, had made the transition
from whaling center to industrial city. New London Ledge Light was
built because New London Harbor Light wasn't sufficient to direct
vessels around the dangerous ledges at the entrance to the harbor."
For more about the light (history, photos, postcard photos and Ledge
Light lore, including the story of Ernie the ghost) go to the Virtual
Guide.
To see what Ledge Light looks
like right now click here.
The Sea Pony offers rides on
the Thames and
Other Ledge Light Links:
Lighthouses:
A Photographic Journey
Avery Point Light (Groton, CT)
Avery
Point opened in 1942, but
the light was not lit until after World War II. It was
designed as an unmanned light, probably because it was located on
the US Coast Guard's Groton Training Station and there was plenty of
available labor. The light ceased to shine in June 26,
1967.
The property is currently owned
by the University of CT. In February 2000 the Avery Point Lighthouse Society
was formed with the goal of saving, restoring, relighting and
functionally maintaining the Avery Point Lighthouse located on the
University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus in Groton,
Connecticut. See a photo by
Ron
Watson.
Stonington Lighthouse
The light was built in 1823 and
retired in 1899. In 1927 it was taken over by the
Stonington
Historical Society. They run the Old Lighthouse Museum at
the site, which currently has 6 rooms of exhibits.
Other New England Lighthouses
You can see other New England
Light houses at New
England Lighthouses: Virtual Guide.
LONDON
