Lighthouses Ulster County

View from the Bear Mountain Bridge walkway

Ulster County - Lighthouses


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Ulster County - Lighthouses

The Esopus Meadows Lighthouse is located in Esopus, NY 12429 in Ulster County. Esopus Meadows Lighthouse, fondly nicknamed the “Maid of the Meadows”, was completed in 1871. A lighthouse was needed on the Hudson River to warn mariners of the mud flats known as the Esopus Meadows located off the western shore of the river.

The lighthouse was built on a new foundation, located to the south of the former location, traces of which are still visible on the adjoining small island. Inside the house is a kitchen, sitting room and equipment room on the first floor and three bedrooms and a bath on the second. The light tower extends above the living quarters with an octagonal deck housing the light. Situated 53 feet above the mean water line, the lantern room contained an optic fifth-order Fresnel lens providing a 270 degree arc of light that was visible for 12 nautical miles.

In 1979, the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The road to restoration didn’t really begin until 1990 when the Save Esopus Lighthouse Commission was formed. Press Blue Button for history, photos, and more about the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse.

Kingston

Rondout Lighthouse

845-331-1682

Rondout Creek is located at Kingston Point, Kingston, NY 12401 in Ulster County. The current Rondout Lighthouse is actually the third lighthouse built at the mouth of the Rondout Creek. The first Kingston Lighthouse was built in 1837. This wood structure became badly damaged by ice and weather and soon became unsafe for the keeper and her family. A second lighthouse of brick and stone was constructed in 1867 on the south side of the creek. This second light was abandoned in 1915 when the present dikes were constructed at the Creek's entrance. Demolished in 1954 when its roof collapsed, the second lighthouse's stone footings are still visible today.

In 1913 construction started on a new lighthouse, which is the structure known to area residents today as the Rondout Lighthouse. The largest and last 'family' light built on the Hudson River, the third Rondout Lighthouse, was first lit on August 25, 1915.

Enjoy hiking the Interpretive Nature Trail that follows the course of the fitness trail through the upper area in Hasbrouck Park and is approximately 1 mile in length. It is suitable for young children and adults. Thirty-two different varieties of trees are identified along the trail through the use of signage, and a brochure is available to assist visitor's with locating the trees and providing interesting facts regarding some of the species. In addition to the trees, the trail offers spectacular views of the serene waters of the Hudson River, Rondout Creek, Rondout Lighthouse , and also the Ponckhockie section of Kingston. Press Blue Button for history, architectural details, and more about Kingston Point Lighthouse.

Sleightsburgh Park "Scenic Hudson"

Sleightsburgh Park
Kingston, Ulster County
Hudson River Valley, New York State

Sleightsburgh Park is a spectacular spit of land reaching almost all the way to the Kingston Lighthouse

This 79-acre peninsula at the mouth of the Rondout Creek was purchased by The Scenic Hudson Land Trust and conveyed to the Town of Esopus. A conservation easement held by our land trust ensures the property will forever remain parkland.

Sleightsburgh Park offers deep water boat access onto Rondout Creek, the wooded peninsula is criss-crossed with trails that offer good bird watching and views of the Kingston Lighthouse.

Things To Do

Directions
From Route 9W in Esopus, head east on North Broadway, then right on First Ave., left on Everson Street. Park Entrance is on the right.

Press Blue Button for Scenic Hudson, hours of operation, maps, and more about Sleightsburgh Park in Ulster County, New York.

After a day of hiking, nature study or just relaxing in this scenic wonderland, pack a picnic from the produce at one of the local farms in the Hudson Valley. Or dine at one of the many excellent restaurants in Ulster New York.

Saugerties

Saugerties Lighthouse with Bed & Breakfast

845-247-0656

The Saugerties Lighthouse is located at 168 Lighthouse Drive, Saugerties, NY 12477. The Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy was formed in 1985. The Coast Guard, the original owners of the lighthouse, relinquished jurisdiction, and the property reverted back to New York State. The Conservancy then bought the deteriorated remains of the lighthouse for one dollar. Efforts to stabilize the building began shortly thereafter while local architect Alex Wade completed plans for the reconstruction. A wooden barge was built to haul construction materials including tons of masonry materials. . . More than 10,000 new bricks were required to replace bricks that had crumbled. The entire masonry structure, including the massive stone base, has been reconstructed.

After extensive fundraising and restoration work the building was completely reconstructed. After 36 years, the light was restored to operation in the light tower on August 4, 1990. The Coast Guard installed a fourth-order Fresnel lens with a solar-powered light. Press Blue Button for History, photos - Now and Then, Bed & Breakfast, Day-Use, and more about the Saugerties Lighthouse.

More Hudson Valley Lighthouses ...

Greene County

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Westchester County

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Lighthouses - Ulster County
At night, in the fog, or in a storm, lighthouses act as guideposts for ships. Lighthouses warn sailors so they don't hit land or other obstructions in the water. They are built on harbors, islands, and beaches. Many years ago, people set fires at the edge of the water to warn boats of dangerous rocks and shores. The Egyptians are the first people known to have built lighthouses to guide ships. Lighthouses were also constructed by the Phoenicians, Greeks, and the Romans. The first lighthouse in England was the Eddystone Rock Lighthouse built on a steep rock in 1698. The first lighthouse in America, lit in 1716, was the Boston Lighthouse on Brewser Island in Boston Harbor. Early lighthouses used wick lamps as a source of light; the light beam could only travel a few miles. In 1822 the first modern lighthouse lens was invented by a Frenchman named Augustin Fesnel. Fresnel discovered how to increase light by using prisms. In 1841, the Fresnel lens was installed for the first time in a lighthouse. Lighthouses were operated by keepers who had to make sure that the lights were burning and fog bells were ringing at night, in fog, storms, or any condition that limited visual acuity. The lighthouse keeper often rang bells and even shot cannons as a warning to ships. A keeper's house was either built into a lighthouse or constructed separately close to the lighthouse. Today most lighthouses have lights that run automatically using electricity. Lighthouses have played an important role in the history of the Hudson River. The Stony Point Lighthouse was built as early as 1826. Fourteen lighthouses were built along the Hudson River, including two at the Rondout Creek in Kingston and a post light with a fog bell at Danskammer Point. There were also numerous other post lights up and down the river. Today only seven lighthouses remain.

Lighthouses - Ulster County

At night, in the fog, or in a storm, lighthouses act as guideposts for ships. Lighthouses warn sailors so they don't hit land or other obstructions in the water. They are built on harbors, islands, and beaches. Many years ago, people set fires at the edge of the water to warn boats of dangerous rocks and shores. The Egyptians are the first people known to have built lighthouses to guide ships. Lighthouses were also constructed by the Phoenicians, Greeks, and the Romans. The first lighthouse in England was the Eddystone Rock Lighthouse built on a steep rock in 1698. The first lighthouse in America, lit in 1716, was the Boston Lighthouse on Brewser Island in Boston Harbor.

Early lighthouses used wick lamps as a source of light; the light beam could only travel a few miles. In 1822 the first modern lighthouse lens was invented by a Frenchman named Augustin Fesnel. Fresnel discovered how to increase light by using prisms. In 1841, the Fresnel lens was installed for the first time in a lighthouse.

Lighthouses were operated by keepers who had to make sure that the lights were burning and fog bells were ringing at night, in fog, storms, or any condition that limited visual acuity. The lighthouse keeper often rang bells and even shot cannons as a warning to ships. A keeper's house was either built into a lighthouse or constructed separately close to the lighthouse. Today most lighthouses have lights that run automatically using electricity.

Lighthouses have played an important role in the history of the Hudson River. The Stony Point Lighthouse was built as early as 1826. Fourteen lighthouses were built along the Hudson River, including two at the Rondout Creek in Kingston and a post light with a fog bell at Danskammer Point. There were also numerous other post lights up and down the river. Today only seven lighthouses remain.

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