Name and Location

Saugerties Lighthouse, also known as Saugerties Light or Saugerties Beacon, stands at the mouth of the Esopus Creek on the Hudson River in Ulster County, New York. The lighthouse is situated at 168 Lighthouse Drive, Saugerties, NY 12477, with coordinates 42°04′19.5″ N, 73°55′46.8″ W (decimal: 42.0720823, –73.9296787).

Construction and History

The Saugerties Lighthouse was constructed in the immediate post-Civil War period and first lit in 1869 under the auspices of the U.S. Lighthouse Board’s Third District. It replaced earlier lightships moored offshore and was one of several river lights erected to guide increasing commercial traffic on the Hudson River.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a square, two-story keeper's dwelling with an integral light tower rising from the roof ridge. The structure is built using brick masonry (likely covered with a white stucco render) and has a foundation of granite spread footing. The lantern is cast-iron with fixed glazing, painted black, and stands at 12.5 meters (41 feet) above mean water level.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse exhibits an occulting white light once every 4 seconds (Oc W 4s), with a range of 6 nautical miles. It is maintained and automated by the U.S. Coast Guard and continues to mark the shallow shoals off Esopus Creek. The Admiralty number is J3838 (LLNR 38375) and chart references include NOAA Chart 12347.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse operates as a small bed-and-breakfast inn, offering limited accommodations with private baths and panoramic river views. Guided tours of the exterior grounds are available on select weekends Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Interior tours are restricted to registered guests. Visitors can also access the dock for small private boats (advance permit required).

Notable Views and Landscape

Perched at the water's edge, the lighthouse offers unobstructed views of the Hudson River, the Catskill Mountains to the west, and occasional barge and sailboat traffic. Migratory waterfowl are commonly spotted in spring and autumn, making it a popular spot for photographers.

Technical and Operational Details

The light is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard and continues to serve as an aid to navigation. There is no AIS or radar installation co-located with the lighthouse, and mariners rely on standard electronic charting.

Further Information

• For more information, please visit the National Register of Historic Places (Ref. 79001642), the U.S. Coast Guard Light List, Vol. I, Atlantic Coast, and the Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy website at https://www.saugertieslighthouse.com/.