New Dorp Light

The New Dorp Lighthouse was constructed to serve as a rear range light marking Swash Channel, a shipping channel in Lower New York Bay.

History

• Construction on the lighthouse began in 1852 and was completed in 1856.
• The structure was built by Richard Carlow, who also designed similar lighthouses at Chapel Hill and Point Comfort Range Lights in New Jersey.

Architecture

The New Dorp Lighthouse is a decommissioned lighthouse located in the New Dorp section of Staten Island, New York City.

• It stands 100 feet (30 meters) tall, with a focal height of 192 feet (59 meters).
• The tower was built using traditional materials for the time period.

Light Characteristics

The original beacon featured a second-order range lens showing a fixed red light that shone above sea level.

• In 1891, the light was changed to a fixed white light.
• A sixth-order range lens was installed in 1939, also displaying a fixed white light.

Current Status

The New Dorp Lighthouse was decommissioned and boarded up in 1964.

• After being neglected for ten years, the lighthouse and surrounding land were sold at auction to a Staten Island resident named John Vokral for $32,000 in 1974.
• Vokral undertook extensive restoration work on the lighthouse, which now serves as a private residence.

Location and Accessibility

The New Dorp Lighthouse is located at Boyle Street in Staten Island, New York City.

The location is private, and access is restricted.

Heritage Status

The New Dorp Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and designated a New York City Landmark in 1967.

Notable Historical Events

• In 1939, a sixth-order range lens was installed at the lighthouse, significantly increasing its light intensity.