When the settlement of New London was founded in 1646, it became the best harbor between Boston and New York.
The harbor quickly became an epicenter for trading and whaling, becoming the third busiest whaling port after New Bedford and Nantucket in Massachusetts. However, the harbor’s rocky waters soon became troublesome for business, leading to a need for a lighthouse to guide ships.
Thus, the state’s first lighthouse was constructed on Long Island Sound, on the west side of the entrance to New London Harbor. Built in 1761, New London Harbor Light is not only the oldest lighthouse in Connecticut, but also the fourth oldest in the country.
Here’s what to know about the lighthouse’s history.
History of New London Harbor Light
A motor boat moving in front of the New London lighthouse taken from the water. New London Harbor Light is the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Connecticut.
According to the New London Maritime Society, New London Harbor Light dates back to 1754, when a vessel from the West Indies to Spain got stuck in the harbor’s rocks, resulting in the loss of a significant amount of gold, silver and indigo. After this incident, townspeople realized there should be a light to guide ships into New London Harbor, and in 1759, King George II approved this notion by purchasing land for a lighthouse.
After raising money with lottery tickets, Connecticut officially built its first lighthouse in 1761, lighting New London Harbor Light for the first time on Nov. 7 that same year. In 1791, George Washington himself signed a contract authorizing funds to supply the lighthouse with whale oil.
The original 64-foot-tall stone tower cracked in 1800, and the lighthouse was replaced in 1801 with an octagonal tower standing at 90 feet – a structure that is still the tallest lighthouse in the state today.
Over the years, the lighthouse has been renovated to include updates like a stone deck, a circular staircase and an automated light. Today, New London Harbor Light is owned by the New London Maritime Society, a non-profit focused on protecting and preserving New London’s maritime history.
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How to see New London Harbor Light
Unfortunately, New London Harbor Light is not open to the public, as the surrounding grounds are privately owned. The best views of the lighthouse are from the water or on Pequot Avenue, a street in New London from which multiple lighthouses can be seen.
Additionally, the New London Maritime Society, the lighthouse’s steward, offers informational tours of New London Harbor Light through their Custom House Maritime Museum. Tours cost $35 for adults or $25 for children ages 8-18, and the museum is open year-round at 150 Bank St. from 10 a.m.- 5p.m. on Saturday or 1-5 p.m. on Thursday-Friday and Sunday.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: What is CT’s oldest lighthouse? The history of New London Harbor Light