Faulkner's Island Lighthouse

Year Built

1802

Cost

$5,500

Type

Octagonal tower with balcony and lantern

Height

46 feet

Location

New Haven County

Automated Year

1978

First Lit

1802

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel lens (1856) - Present optic: VLB-44 (LED), solar powered

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White (tower), red (lantern)

Last Keeper - Date

Mark C. Robinson (1975 – 1976)

Description

The island is a protected nesting area and is not open to the public most of the summer.

Brief History

•  The original fixed light used twelve lamps and reflectors on two stacked tables and was replaced in 1840, at a cost of $2842.00.
•  The keeper’s dwelling had eight rooms, but over the years it deteriorated so badly that a new one was constructed in 1858.
•  After the fire in 1976, vandals caused additional damage that resulted in the windows being bricked up and a steel door installed.
•  In 2001, the construction of a stone wall and creation of a buffer zone was completed.
•  In October 2010, a major restoration project repainted the tower and lantern, installed ventilated steel doors, restored the original weathervane and repaired the 12-pane casement window on the west wall of the lighthouse.