FIRE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
Long Island, New York
This was the last lighthouse I saw on my trip to New Jersey, which ended in New York. You see I flew into JFK airport so I could fly American and get more frequent flyer miles. Plus I wanted to catch the lighthouses of Long Island. This is the closest to JFK, well maybe Coney Island is, but I tried there first thing in the morning and didn't know about the gate. Anyway this was on the way back from Montauk Point. I gotta tell you, Long Island is a beautiful place. Very lush and green.
You take the Robert Moses State Parkway down from the Southern State Parkway or Hwy 27, depending on which way you are getting there. You'll see the tower as you come over the bridge. Can't miss this giant, black and white banded monolith. You have to go left at the island and drive a short distance to Field 5 to park. $7.00 fee. Not having the time to stop for long and not willing to pay that much to park, I drove to the end of the road where there is a U-turn. You can pull off to the right and there is an observation deck that allows you an excellent vantage point from which to view the light. The sign says Fire Island National Seashore and I am as close as you can drive.
Fire Island Lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places, achieving that honor in 1983. A lighthouse was built on the beach in 1826, a 74 foot high, 8 sided tower. Quite ineffective, as attested by the fate of the SS Elizabeth in 1850, they erected the current 168 foot tower in 1858 where it remained in service until 1974. Locals call this one the Winking Lady and it was the locals that saved it from destruction. The Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society pulled together the funds in 1982 to restore the lighthouse environment. On May 25th of 1986, the light was turned on again, this time through a modern optic.
I would highly recommend seeing this one if you get out to Long Island. Fire Island is considered by many to be the most popular vacation spot on the island if not New York, and I know I'll spend more time here if there is a next. And yes, I'll pay the parking.
Here's how I
saw it:
FI1
FI2
FI3
FI4
OF THE MOUNTAINS
John B Caddell
Copyright 2001