Tibbetts Point Lighthouse
33439 County Rd 6, Cape Vincent, NY 13618, USA
Name and Location
Tibbetts Point Lighthouse is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario in Cape Vincent, Jefferson County, New York, United States.
Construction and History
The Tibbetts Point Lighthouse was constructed in 1827 during the era of steam-powered shipping on the Great Lakes. The tower stands at a height of 21 meters (69 feet) and features a distinctive octagonal shape with a lantern room housing a Fresnel lens.
Architecture and Materials
No specific information available.
Light and Navigation
The lighthouse's light range is approximately 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers). The light characteristic is Fl(3)W.15s, meaning it emits three white flashes every 15 seconds. The lighthouse was automated in 1969.
Accessibility and Visiting
As of today, the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse no longer serves as an active aid to navigation, but instead has been converted into a museum. Visitors can access the site by car, with parking available on-site. Guided tours are available during the summer months.
Notable Views and Landscape
From the top of the tower, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Ontario and the surrounding countryside.
Anecdotes and Folklore
- A severe storm damaged the lantern room in 1857, requiring repairs to restore its light.
- During World War II, the US Coast Guard used the lighthouse as a lookout post for spotting enemy ships on the Great Lakes.
Technical and Operational Details
No specific information available.
Further Information
For further reading, refer to the Wikipedia article on "Tibbetts Point Light" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibbetts_Point_Light). The lighthouse is currently managed by the Jefferson County Historical Society and Museum.
Details
Name | Tibbetts Point Lighthouse |
---|---|
City | Cape Vincent |
Country | United States |
Coordinates | 44.1006709, -76.3703059 |
Year of construction | 1827 |
Events | shipwrecks; rescues |
Keeper stories | Captain James Tibbetts |
Stories | damage to lantern room during a severe storm in 1857 |
Tower height | 21 |
Renovations | converted to a museum |
Access description | by car with parking available on-site and guided tours during peak season |
Accessible | true |
Parking | true |
Landscape type | countryside |
View description | breathtaking views of Lake Ontario and the surrounding countryside |
Guided tours | true |
Facilities | picnic areas, restrooms, parking lot |
Nearby attractions | ["Cape Vincent village shops and restaurants","Lake Ontario shoreline","boat tour of the lake"] |
AIS Radar | false |
Light characteristic | "Fl(3)W.15s" |
Light range | 12 |
Automated | true |