Name and Location

Big Sodus Light, officially known as Sodus Point Light, is located at 7606 N Ontario Street (Town Park), Sodus Point, NY 14555, USA.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was authorized by Congress in 1868 to aid growing commerce on Lake Ontario. It was constructed between 1870-71 by the U.S. Lighthouse Board and first illuminated on June 29, 1871. The tower was originally manned continuously until 1945, when an automated light on a nearby skeleton tower replaced it. In 1957, the original tower was dismantled, moved inland into Town Park, and restored as a historic exhibit.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse has a cylindrical cast-iron tower with riveted plates forming a tapered design. The interior is lined with brick. The tower stands approximately 51 feet (15.5 meters) tall, with a focal plane about 60 feet (18.3 meters) above lake level.

Light and Navigation

The original optics included a fourth-order Fresnel lens, which had an original light range of around 12 nautical miles. The light characteristic was fixed white, later automated lights on the breakwater exhibited flashing patterns. Today, an active skeleton-tower beacon at the pier's end carries the navigational light.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is managed by the Sodus Bay Historical Society in partnership with the Town of Sodus. It operates as a small museum under their care. Guided interior tours are available seasonally (June-September) for a small donation. The tower stands near the park's northeast shoreline overlooking Sodus Bay.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse overlooks the narrow channel into Sodus Bay, sandy beach areas, and the expanse of Lake Ontario beyond. Nearby attractions include the Sodus Point Lighthouse Museum (in the park), Sodus Bay Pumphouse Museum, boat launches, marina, local shops, and eateries.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local lore speaks of a "Keeper's ghost" seen on stormy nights looking toward the lake – although there is no documented evidence to support this claim. Long-serving keepers included Charles H. Steele (1872-1895) and William J. Delaney (1895-1914).

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1945, and automation ended the need for a keeper. Today, it operates as a non-navigational museum with no AIS or radar installations at the historic tower.

Further Information

For further reading, please visit Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodus_Point_Light) or explore the Sodus Bay Historical Society website (http://www.soduspointlighthouse.org).