Harbour

Harbour Lights Stonington Harbor CT

Settled in the 17th Century, Stonington was a thriving port where fishing, whaling and shipbuilding were the mainstays of the local economy.In 1822, the United States Congress appropriated funds to build a lighthouse at the southernmost tip of Stonington to meet the needs of a demanding port. In 1824, Benjamin Chase completed a 30' cylindrical stone tower and stone Keeper's dwelling. Seen for more than twelve miles, the original light was ten whale oil lamps set in thirteen-inch reflectors in an arc. The tower in tandem with the town's highest steeple guided mariners entering the harbor.Beach erosion caused the first Stonington Lighthouse to be short lived; by the late 1830's the light was in danger of falling into the sea. The idea of a protective wall was dismissed as the measure would only have been temporary and the cost would have been as much as building a new tower.Completed in 1840, builders using stones from the original tower built a new two and a half story Keeper's dwelling with a 35' octagonal tower centered in the front gable. Eight lamps with sixteen-inch reflectors produced the fixed white light.A breakwater was constructed at the harbor's entrance. A privately built light with fog signal at the southern end of the breakwater proved to be more effective as a navigational aid. In 1888, the Lighthouse Board made a request for an official light having acknowledged that the Stonington Lighthouse was no longer useful to mariners.In 1889, a Fourth Order Fresnel lens with a fixed red light and fog signal from a new 25' conical tower was lit. The Stonington Lighthouse was deactivated with the Keeper being reassigned to the breakwater light. In 1926, the breakwater light was replaced with a skeletal tower.At public auction, the Stonington Historical Society was the only bidder for the old Lighthouse. The Stonington Historical Society restored the light opening it to the public as a museum. The Old Lighthouse museum is open seasonally to visitors.

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Manufacturer: Harbour Lights
SKU: HL481

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New Inventory Recently Received!




Miller's Lighthouse gets inventory in monthly so check back soon. If there is something you want but do not see please give us a call.

Many of our offerings can be passed down from generation to generation spreading love and smiles for years to come.




New Items received in the following line:




Harbour Lights Lighthouses!





And as always, we carry a limited supply of discontinued lighthouses from various manufacturers. This inventory is hard to keep on the shelves and changes frequently so keep in touch and we will keep you updated.


If you need a lighthouse that is not on our site please give us a call and let us know.  There is a good chance we may have it, or the ability to get it, and would be happy to get it  to you.

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