Stepping Stones Lighthouse

Location: .8 miles northwest of Elm Point, Great Neck.

Description: 46 feet, red brick tower, structure is Second Empire Victorian style, fixed green light. Original optic was a Fifth Order Fresnel lens showing a fixed red light. Lens was later (1930s?) changed to a Fourth Order lens with fixed green light.

History of light:

• 1866: Congress appropriated $6600 for a lighthouse on Hart Island.

• 1871: Hart Island was surveyed.

• 1874: Difficulties in obtaining the needed land on Hart Island force the Lighthouse Board to change the site to Stepping Stones.

• 1875, Summer: Construction began.

• 1877, January 3: Findlay Fraser is appointed as first keeper.

• 1877, March 1:First lit.

• 1966: Automated.

Current use: Active aid to navigation.

The surrounding area: This light, the westernmost on the north shore of Long Island, is visible from the Throgs Neck Bridge.

Public access? No.

Similar Lights: Hudson-Athens in upstate NY

Other information: The rocks breaking the surface in the area were known during colonial times as the Devil's Stepping Stones. Prior to the establishment of this light a buoy marked the Stepping Stones.

Stepping Stones Lighthouse
(photo by Diane Mancini)