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.

American Lighthouse Foundation

Lighthouse Art and Gifts

	Buy this and other lighthouse models  at GoCollect.
	Lighthouses of New England: Your Guide to the Lighthouses of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut

Daniel Price Fine Arts offers original artwork and prints of Connecticut lighthouses, tall ships, and U.S. submarines. His site includes work showing Ledge Lighthouse and subs coming into New London Harbor. 
(860) 691-0223

The Lighthouse Gift Shop  - Lots of lighthouse gifts.  Located downtown by the bridge  11 West Main St   Mystic, CT 06355  swarcrstl@aol.com   860-536-3383