Hudson-Athens Lighthouse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Hudson-Athens Lighthouse |
|
| Location: | Hudson River, between Athens and Hudson |
|---|---|
| Foundation: | Granite caisson |
| Construction: | Dressed Stone and red brick |
| Year first lit: | 1874 |
| Automated: | 1949 |
| Tower shape: | Square, red brick, granite trim |
| Height: | 46 ft |
| Original lens: | fifth order Fresnel, 1926; currently 300mm light |
| Range: | 4 nautical miles |
| Characteristic: | Green light occulting every 4 sec; Fog bell mechanism at 15 sec intervals |
The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, sometimes called the Hudson City Light, is a lighthouse located in the Hudson River in the state of New York in the United States. Constructed in 1873, it marks a sandy ridge known as Middle Ground Flats and also acts as a general aid to navigation of the river. The station is built on a granite caisson with a unique shape designed to protect it from ice floes and river debris. The dwelling is constructed in the Second Empire architectural style, with a Mansard roof. It is considered to be virtually a twin of the Stepping Stones Light in Long Island Sound, which was constructed just a few years later.
[edit] History
The station's beacon was originally lighted by Henry D. Best, the station's first lightkeeper, on November 14 , 1874.[1] It was upgraded to a fifth-order Fresnel lens in 1926, and the station was fully automated on November 10, 1949.[2] In 1967, the Hudson River Valley Commission, led by Nelson A. Rockefeller, suggested that certain lighthouses owned by the United States Coast Guard be turned over to not-for-profit historical groups to ensure their preservation and upkeep. Hudson-Athens was the first station to be tried through such a program, and on February 15, 1984, a 20-year lease was signed between the Coast Guard and the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (HALPS).[3] In 2000, title to the station was turned over permanently to HALPS.[4] Today, the Preservation Society conducts occasional tours of the station, which is being restored to its condition as it would have been in the 1930s.
Chronology from USCG web site
- 1872: Congress of U.S. approves $35,000.00 to build the light.
- 1873 - 1874: Light was constructed.
- 1874, November 14: Light was put into operation with Henry D. Best as the first keeper.
- 1949, November 10: The light was automated.
- 1940's: Electricity was installed.
- 1967: Nelson A. Rockefeller established the Hudson River Valley Commission, which suggested the USCG deed over or lease lighthouse facilities to public or not-for-profit groups for maintenance and preservation.
- 1982: Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society was formed.
- 1984, February 15: A 20 year lease between the Lighthouse Preservation Society and the USCG was signed. This was the first lease of its kind.
- 2002: Occasional tours are available to the public through the Lighthouse Preservation Society
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=677
- ^ http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/LHNY.html
- ^ http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/LHNY.html
- ^ http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=677
[edit] External links
- Official site of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society
- Lighthousefriends.com page on the Hudson-Athens Light
- U.S. National Parks Service page on Hudson-Athens
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History page on Hudson-Athens
- U.S. Coast Guard official listing of light stations in New York State
