Huntington Harbor Lighthouse
Huntington Bay, Long Island, NY
July 2003 Update!
Built in 1912, by Charles Mead, of reinforced concrete, the Huntington Lighthouse located on a bed of rocks in Huntington Bay has served our mariners well. Although still an active navigational aid, it is also now a historical site at the entrance to our harbor. The lighthouse housed many lightkeepers in our Lighthouse Service over the years. It was then automated in 1967 with the electronics being maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The deterioration of the unoccupied lighthouse then started and would continue for almost two decades. Plagued by salt corrosion, inhabitation by birds, vandalism and time, the lighthouse was in great need of repair. The Coast Guard deemed the light unsafe in 1983 and scheduled it for demolition a few years later.
A non-profit organization, formed in 1985, has been working effortlessly over the past years to “save” the Huntington Lighthouse. The light was leased by the U.S. Coast Guard to “Save Huntington’s Lighthouse, Inc. for preservation efforts. It was at that point spared from demolition. From the community’s tax-deductible donations and numerous volunteer efforts the lighthouse has officially been SAVED, hence the name change to, The Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society.
Though major restoration work has been completed on the Lighthouse, it’s an ongoing task of further restoration and upkeep. Recent restoration includes new ceiling beams that have been installed, the windows have been scraped and painted, railings have been refinished, painting and refinishing throughout the tower, and a new flagpole has been installed. An exciting accomplishment is the new ramp and floating dock installed for much easier access to the lighthouse. The dock is to be used for arriving tour vessels and volunteer workers, though the facility is not open to public docking. Most of this restoration work was completed by volunteers, who meet on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 am to 12 noon. There is still much work and general maintenance and upkeep of the lighthouse to be done in the future. If you would like to volunteer contact Jeff Urquhart at 631-271-3535 or jsailny@aol.com for further information.
Come and tour the Lighthouse for FREE!
Come see the lighthouse and experience the beautiful views of Huntington Harbor from the tower or deck. Feel the sea breezes in your face, with the call of the gulls and the sounds of the heron’s wings playing in your ears. Step back in time to feel what it must have been like to be a guardian of the harbor. Tours leave from the Coney’s Dock at Goldstar Battalion Beach (weather permitting) on the first and third Saturday of each month. The first Saturday has a lecture at the Huntington Public Library at 10am with a question and answer forum and then a tour at 12 noon to the lighthouse. The third Saturday of the month has a tour at 10 returning at 12 noon and at 2 pm, returning at 4 pm. For further information contact Jeff Urquhart at 631-271-3535 or jsailny@aol.com.
Be a Part of the Lighthouse Forever!
A Commemorative Walk has been planned for the landing area at the Lighthouse. Granite stones, with up to three lines of engraving are being made available to commemorate that special person or event in your life. Or, your company can purchase a granite block proudly displaying the company logo. The granite stones will be epoxied to the concrete landing area that leads from the current landing area that leads from the current ladder to the lighthouse entry door. There are a limited number of stones available, so be sure to place your order soon. Print out an order form. Or if you need further information contact Pat Knoll at 631-271-8534, or Pam Setchell at 631-427-2636.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society or to join the volunteers of the Society, contact Pam Setchell at 631-427-2636 or psetchell@aol.com.