Black Rock Harbor Light is a lighthouse

Lighthouse

A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....

 in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...

, United States, on the south end of Fayerweather Island

Fayerweather Island

Fayerweather Island is located in Long Island Sound, south of Seaside Park and is a part the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The island is home to the Black Rock Harbor Light at the mouth of Black Rock Harbor.-Physical description:*Elevation: ~....

, that marks the entrance to Black Rock Harbor

Black Rock Harbor

Black Rock Harbor is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut on the Long Island Sound. The Black Rock Harbor Light on Fayerweather Island marks the entrance to the harbor on its east, while St. Mary's by the Sea forms its western beachhead. Seaside Park runs along the northeastern part of the harbor....

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History

The first Black Rock Harbor Lighthouse was a 40 feet (12.2 m) octagonal wooden tower built in 1808. It originally had whale oil spider lamp, but it was upgraded to a system with eight lamps in 1830. However, the light was barely visible in hazy conditions, so in 1854, a fifth-order Fresnel lens was installed. The lighthouse was officially discontinued as a navigational aid in 1933.

Historical Chronology

• 1808: First tower built.
• 1811 & 1821: First tower survived hurricanes
• 1823: Present tower built
• 1824: First tower toppled by gale
• 1880: Keeper's quarters building constructed
• 1932: Modern pole tower light is constructed as a replacement 1/4 mile off the shore of Fayerweather Island
• 1933: Light was deactivated
• 1977: Keeper's quarters building is destroyed in a fire
• 1980: Bridgeport Environmental Protection Agency along with Friends of Seaside Park restored the light tower.
• 2000: Light is relit, but does not serve as an active aid to navigation