Stepping Stones Lighthouse

The Stepping Stones Lighthouse is situated on Steamboat Road in the Village of Kings Point, Nassau County, New York, within Long Island Sound.

History

The lighthouse was constructed in 1877 by the U.S. Lighthouse Board. Its current status as an active aid to navigation under the management of the United States Coast Guard has been maintained for over a century. The light station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 2005, with reference number 05001026.

Architecture

The Stepping Stones Lighthouse is a Victorian-style lighthouse, square-shaped and made of red brick, standing one-and-a-half stories high. Its design is reportedly similar to that of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, its virtual twin.

Light Characteristics

The light's pattern and range are not detailed in available information.

Heritage Status

The lighthouse was declared surplus and transferred to the Town of North Hempstead in 2008. In 2014, the Town entered into a partnership with the Great Neck Historical Society and the Great Neck Park District to raise funds for its rehabilitation. The National Park Service and New York State Senator Jack Martins provided grant funding to support restoration efforts.

Notable Historical Events

The reef upon which the lighthouse sits was named "The Devil's Stepping Stones" by Siwanoy (Minnefords) Native American legends, who reportedly used warriors, medicine, and magic to chase a devil out of present-day Westchester County, New York. The devil then tossed huge boulders into Long Island Sound, using them as stepping stones to make his escape.

Current Status

The lighthouse is currently in use under the management of the United States Coast Guard. It is not open to the public.