Great Captain Island Lighthouse

Year Built

1868

Cost

$5,000

Type

Octagonal tower with balcony and lantern

Height

51 feet

Location

Great Captain Island, Greenwich

Automated Year

1970

First Lit

1868

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel lens

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

1970

Color

White

Last Keeper - Date

Frank B. Abel (1969 – 1970)

Description

The tower still stands as an official aid to navigation.

Brief History

•  In 1829 the first Great Captain Light was built on a parcel of land that was sold to the government before the site selection of where the lighthouse would stand was finalized.
•  In 1890, a fog whistle was added. The signal was upgraded to a powerful siren in 1905.
•  In 1970 a skeleton tower replaced the light and the lighthouse fell victim to vandals.
•  In 1973 the town of Greenwich acquired the lighthouse and had full time caretakers living in the light.
•  In 1991 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.