Name and Location

The Plum Island Light is a historic lighthouse located on Plum Island off the tip of the North Fork of Long Island, near Orient Point in Southold, Suffolk County, New York. Its official name is Plum Island Light.

2. Construction and History

The Plum Island Light was built in 1869 with an unknown architect/designer. The original purpose of the lighthouse was to guide fishing vessels and coastal steamers through the treacherous currents of Plum Gut.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a Romanesque-style tower attached to a keeper's dwelling, constructed with likely brick masonry and stone foundation.

4. Light and Navigation

The original light source was a Fresnel lens, but details about its focal height above high water, nominal range, and light characteristic are unavailable. The lighthouse was automated at some point, possibly in the mid-20th century.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Unfortunately, access to the island is restricted due to private property and protected wildlife areas. There are no formal tours available, but public parking is available at Orient Point State Park with a scenic view of the lighthouse across the sound using binoculars or a long-lens camera.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape features sandy shores, salt marshes, and maritime forest to the east; tidal channels and eelgrass beds to the west. The views from Plum Island include sweeping panoramas of Long Island Sound, Connecticut's coast to the north, and Gardiners Bay to the east.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

During the 19th century, the lighthouse guided fishing vessels and coastal steamers through the treacherous currents of Plum Gut. No major shipwrecks were recorded immediately adjacent, although the strong ebb and flood streams posed a constant hazard. Stories survive of a lightkeeper's family raising children in near-isolation, rowing daily to the mainland for supplies in winter ice.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) reference number 11000014, inscribed February 11, 2011. The NRHP criteria include association with events that have made a significant contribution to broad patterns of history (A) and design/architectural significance (C).

9. Further Information

Further reading and references can be found on the National Register nomination form and asset details at https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/11000014, Wikipedia entry at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plum_Island_Light, Wikimedia Commons gallery File:Plum_Island_Lighthouse.jpg, and Wikidata item Q7205330.