Name and Location

Penfield Reef Light, also referred to locally as Penfield Reef Lighthouse, marks the western entrance to Long Island Sound at Southport Harbor, Fairfield, Connecticut. It stands approximately 0.6 nautical miles southeast of the entrance to Southport Harbor.

2. Construction and History

The lighthouse was authorized by Congress in 1874 and completed in 1878. It replaced earlier day-beacons and buoys marking Penfield Reef, a submerged ledge notorious for ship groundings. The original light was staffed by keepers until de-manning in the late 20th century. In 1979, it was automated.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse has a cast-iron caisson foundation, filled with concrete and granite rubble. The structure is a brick-lined cast-iron shell, with an octagonal keeper's dwelling at base supporting a cylindrical watch-room and lantern. It stands 51 feet (15.5 meters) from base to ventilator ball.

4. Light and Navigation

The original lens was a fourth-order Fresnel lens, which has since been replaced by modern optics. The current characteristic is Flashing White every 6 seconds (Fl W 6s). The nominal range is 11 nautical miles. The lighthouse operates with an automated electric beacon, backed by solar panels.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The view from the lighthouse offers a panoramic view of Long Island Sound, with stunning sunsets and passing commercial and recreational traffic. Nearby attractions include Sherwood Island State Park, Southport Historic District, Fairfield beaches, and Pequot Library.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Early keepers reported eerie fog-shrouded apparitions, later attributed to optical illusions at sea. No major shipwrecks are recorded directly at the pier, but the lighthouse was erected after multiple strandings on the underlying ledge.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is operated and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, First District. Conservation partners include local preservation groups such as the American Lighthouse Foundation. Recent work includes foundation repairs and repainting executed under the Coast Guard Historic Preservation Program (circa 2010s).

9. Further Information

References: "Penfield Reef Light," National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, 1989; U.S. Coast Guard Light List, Volume I (Atlantic Coast); NOAA Nautical Chart #12349; American Lighthouse Foundation, "Penfield Reef Light"; Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penfield_Reef_Light