Peck Ledge Light

Peck Ledge Light, also known as "Peck Ledge Lighthouse", is a sparkplug lighthouse in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States, southeast of Norwalk Harbor and northeast of Goose Island among the Norwalk Islands on Long Island Sound. The lighthouse is about two miles (3 km) from Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk[6] and can be seen from the beach.

Peck Ledge Light
Peck Ledge Light in 2010
LocationLong Island Sound, Connecticut
Coordinates41°04′38.4″N 73°22′11.38″W
Tower
Constructed1906
Foundationcast iron and concrete caisson
Constructionsparkplug lighthouse
Automated1933
Height54 feet (16 m)
Shape2-stages cylindrical tower with double balcony and lantern incorporating keeper's quarter
Markingswhite tower with red band, black lantern, rusty basement
Power sourcesolar power Edit this on Wikidata
OperatorLighthouse Preservation Group LLC[1][2][3]
HeritageNational Register of Historic Places listed place Edit this on Wikidata
Light
Focal height61 feet (19 m)
LensFourth order Fresnel lens (original), VLB-44 (LED)[4] (current)
Range5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi)
CharacteristicFl G 2.5s.
Peck Ledge Lighthouse
Nearest cityNorwalk, Connecticut
Arealess than one acre
NRHP reference No.89001472[5]
Added to NRHPMay 29, 1990

The cast-iron structure is still a working lighthouse operated by the United States Coast Guard and is not open to the public. The 54-foot-high (16 m) lighthouse is painted white with a brown band in the middle. Inside, the structure has three stories of living space along with a basement with cisterns for rainwater storage, all below a watchroom and lantern.[6]

History

The lighthouse was built in 1906 and had a fourth order Fresnel lens. The light was automated by the Coast Guard in 1933 and now flashes green every 2.5 seconds. In 1988 the Fresnel lens was removed and a 250 mm optic was installed.[7] In 1990 the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004 the Coast Guard installed 100 tons of granite riprap as well as a section of step-cut stones to allow for easier access.[6]

Despite damage from vandalism, nesting birds, and corrosion, the structure is still said to be in good shape.[6][3]

Nomenclature

Neither the official US Coast Guard name nor the NRHP listing puts an "s" on the name.[6][3] The NOAA chart of the area shows that it is adjacent to "Peck Ledge".[8]

Head keepers
  • George W. Bardwell (1906 – 1907)
  • August Lorenz (1907 – 1909)
  • Conrad Hawk (1909 – 1914)
  • Ferdinand Heizman (1914 – at least 1917)
  • William Hardwick (at least 1919)
  • Charles J. Kenney (at least 1920 – 1925)
  • George Scheer (1925 – )
  • George Clarke (at least 1928 – at least 1930)[9]

See also

References
  1. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Connecticut". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
  2. Connecticut Historic Light Station Information & Photography United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 22 June 2016
  3. Light List, Volume I, Atlantic Coast, St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. 2015. p. 220.
  4. Pecks Ledge Lighthouse Archived 2016-06-25 at the Wayback Machine New England Lighthouses. Retrieved 22 June 2016
  5. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  6. Dorothy B. Templeton (October 22, 1985). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Peck Ledge Lighthouse" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved October 30, 2015. Photos
  7. "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Connecticut". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-19. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  8. NOAA Chart 12368 North Shore of Long Island Sound - Sherwood Point to Stamford Harbor
  9. Peck Ledge, CT Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved 22 June 2016
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