Bluff Point Lighthouse

The Bluff Point Lighthouse was constructed in 1874 and played a significant role in maritime navigation on Lake Champlain.

History

• For nearly sixty years, the Victorian-style lighthouse guided ships through the channel between Valcour Island and New York State.
• The lighthouse keeper, Major William Herwerth, a disabled Civil War veteran, worked at the lighthouse from 1876 until his death in 1881 while on duty.
• His wife, Mary, took command of the lighthouse, an unusual position for a woman at that time, and maintained it until 1902.

In 1930, the lighthouse ceased operation when a steel tower with an automated light was built to the south, rendering the lighthouse obsolete.

Architecture

• The Bluff Point Lighthouse stands over 90 feet (27 m) above the shore and features a base made of blue limestone.
• The grounds also include a wooden shed that has since collapsed and was removed, a cistern, and a privy.
• The lighthouse itself is in a Victorian style and houses a fifth-order Fresnel lens.

Location

The Bluff Point Lighthouse is located on Valcour Island in Lake Champlain, within Adirondack State Park. Visitors can access the lighthouse via Primitive Trail South.

Current Status

The Bluff Point Lighthouse is currently operated as a museum by the Clinton County Historical Association, an affiliate of the Adirondack Coast Cultural Alliance (ACCA).

Heritage Status

The lighthouse has been recognized for its historical significance, receiving an award from Adirondack Architectural Heritage in 1999 for the Clinton County Historical Association's stewardship of the lighthouse.

Notable Historical Events

1. 1874: The Bluff Point Lighthouse was constructed.
2. 1870: Funding was approved by the United States Congress for its construction.
3. 1881: Major William Herwerth, the lighthouse keeper, died while on duty.
4. 1902: Mary Herwerth, the lighthouse keeper's wife, took command of the lighthouse and maintained it until her own retirement.
5. 1930: The lighthouse ceased operation when a steel tower with an automated light was built to the south.
6. 2002: The United States Coast Guard lit the lighthouse in August.
7. 2004: The lighthouse was officially put back into service.

Architecture

The Bluff Point Lighthouse stands over 90 feet (27 m) above the shore and features a base made of blue limestone. The grounds also include a wooden shed that has since collapsed and was removed, a cistern, and a privy. The lighthouse itself is in a Victorian style and houses a fifth-order Fresnel lens.

Location

The Bluff Point Lighthouse is located on Valcour Island in Lake Champlain, within Adirondack State Park. Visitors can access the lighthouse via Primitive Trail South.

Heritage Status

The lighthouse has been recognized for its historical significance, receiving an award from Adirondack Architectural Heritage in 1999 for the Clinton County Historical Association's stewardship of the lighthouse.