Black Rock Harbor Lighthouse
by Joan Carroll
Title
Black Rock Harbor Lighthouse
Artist
Joan Carroll
Medium
Photograph - Digital Art
Description
I made the trek out to Black Rock Harbor Light, also known as Fayerweather Island Light, near Bridgeport, CT in the fall of 2014. After parking, you can walk along the jetty and beach to reach the lighthouse. As a lighthouse fan, I was very excited to see this lovely setting! But this was about as good as it got! As I got closer, I saw more and more of vandalism and disrepair. The information existing online indicated that renovations had occurred several times and suggested that the lighthouse was in decent condition. However, in 11/14 the entry had no door and it was evident from the graffiti and trash that vandals had done their work. There was also an enormous bird's nest atop the tower (maybe a protected species?? The lighthouse does sit in a nature preserve). It was still a beautiful day and a nice walk out to the lighthouse. The information online indicates the following: The first lighthouse was built in this location in 1808 but was destroyed by a hurricane in 1821. The second lighthouse served until it was decommissioned and given to the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1934. In the following years, vandals gutted the interior of the lighthouse. In 1977, the keeper's quarters building was destroyed in a fire. The first restoration effort came in 1983 when steel "windows" and a steel panel for the entry were installed. But vandals again forced their way in. A second effort was mounted in 1993 and begun in 1998. The restoration included masonry repairs, reglazing the lantern room, rust removal from the railings, new doors and windows with vandal-proof steel panes. The lighthouse was repainted with graffiti-resistant paint in the original paint and mortar colors. The light, relit in 2000, does not serve as an active navigational aid. The light is powered by solar panels on the top of the lighthouse. In 2004, vandals smashed the solar panels and new panels with protective cages were installed in 2007.
FEATURED PHOTO, Landscape and Landmark Photography group, 6/15/15
FEATURED PHOTO< The Road To Self Promotion group, 6/9/125
FEATURED PHOTO, Atlantic Coast of the USA group, 6/9/15
Uploaded
June 9th, 2015
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Viewed 2,932 Times - Last Visitor from Waldorf, MD on 04/25/2024 at 10:16 AM
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