Definition
Horton Point Light is a historic lighthouse situated on the north coast of the North Fork of Long Island, New York, United States, near the hamlet of Southold in Suffolk County.
Overview
Constructed in 1857, Horton Point Light was commissioned to aid navigation along the Long Island Sound and the East River approaches to New York Harbor. The lighthouse was first lit on September 8, 1857 and remained an active aid to navigation until its deactivation in 1933. After a period of neglect, the structure was restored in the 1980s and is now maintained by the Town of Southold. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 as the “Horton Point Light Station.”
Etymology / Origin
The name “Horton Point” derives from the geographic feature on which the lighthouse stands. The point was historically associated with the Horton family, early settlers of the Southold area, though precise documentation of the naming is limited.
Characteristics
- Structure: Brick construction with a conical tower rising 58 feet (approximately 17.7 m) above the base; the lantern sits atop the tower, bringing the focal height to 71 feet (≈21.6 m) above mean sea level.
- Exterior Markings: The tower is painted white with a black lantern roof.
- Lens: Originally equipped with a fourth‑order Fresnel lens manufactured by the French company Barbier, Benard, and Turenne. The original lens was removed after deactivation; a modern DCB‑24 rotating beacon currently provides illumination.
- Light Characteristic: When operational, the lighthouse displayed a flashing white light every 15 seconds. The restored beacon follows the same characteristic for historical interpretation, though it is not officially listed in the United States Coast Guard Light List.
- Automation and Deactivation: The lighthouse was automated in 1933, the same year it was discontinued as an aid to navigation. It remained unmanned and unlit until restoration efforts in the 1980s.
- Preservation: Restoration work in 1984–1986 repaired the masonry, rebuilt the lantern room, and installed the contemporary light apparatus. The site is open to the public seasonally, with interpretive signage describing its maritime heritage.
Related Topics
- List of lighthouses in New York – includes other historic coastal lights such as Montauk Point Light and Fire Island Light.
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Suffolk County, New York – Horton Point Light is among the registered historic structures in the county.
- Long Island Sound navigation – the body of water for which the lighthouse originally provided guidance.
- Fresnel lens technology – the optical system employed in many 19th‑century lighthouses, including Horton Point Light’s original fourth‑order lens.
All information presented reflects documented historical and architectural records available from the United States Coast Guard, the National Register of Historic Places, and local preservation authorities.