Morgan Point Lighthouse is a
lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of physical structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses and to serve as a beacon for navigational aid, for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
Lighthouses mar ...
in
Noank
Noank ( ) is a village in the town of Groton, Connecticut. This dense community of historic homes and local businesses sits on a small, steep peninsula at the mouth of the Mystic River (Connecticut), Mystic River with a long tradition of fishing, ...
,
Connecticut
Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its cap ...
, United States, on the west side of the mouth of the
Mystic River
The Mystic River is a riverU.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed April 1, 2011 in Massachusetts, in the United States. In Massachusett, means "large estuary," alluding to t ...
.
History
In 1831 the original granite tower was built. However, there were many complaints that the light was too dim, so as shipbuilding became more prominent in the area, a new lighthouse was needed and the current Morgan Point Lighthouse was built in 1868.
In 1919, Morgan Point was discontinued and later sold to a private owner.
The structure is of the same design as lighthouses at
Sheffield Island in
Norwalk;
Great Captain Island
Great Captain Island, also known more familiarly as "Great Captain's Island," is an island off the coast of Greenwich, Connecticut. The island is the largest of a three-island group that also includes Little Captain and Wee Captain. The island ...
in
Greenwich
Greenwich ( , ,) is a town in south-east London, England, within the ceremonial county of Greater London. It is situated east-southeast of Charing Cross.
Greenwich is notable for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich ...
;
Old Field Point Light and
Plum Island in New York; and
Block Island North in
Rhode Island
Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the List of U.S. states by area, smallest U.S. state by area and the List of states and territories of the United States ...
.
["Morgan Point, CT"](_blank)
LighthouseFriends.com. Accessed August 21, 2006
It is a granite
ashlar
Ashlar () is finely dressed (cut, worked) stone, either an individual stone that has been worked until squared, or a structure built from such stones. Ashlar is the finest stone masonry unit, generally rectangular cuboid, mentioned by Vitruv ...
building with an octagonal tower rising above. It has a "dentillated cornice and a slate-shingled roof. Inside, the lightkeeper's room is fitted out like a cabin, with fold-out desk and built-in bunk." As of 1978, it was a private residence and the lamp had been removed.
It is included in the
Noank Historic District
The Noank Historic District is a historic district encompassing the historic main part of the village of Noank in the town of Groton, Connecticut. The district contains a distinctive assortment of mid-to-late 19th-century residential architect ...
, which was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
in 1978. It is no longer an active aid to navigation and is not open to the public.
Noank Light 5
Noank Light 5 is the active light substitute of the lighthouse, located offshore Morgan Point on the west side of Mystic River at the entrance of the harbour. It consists of a small skeletal tower on a stone basement and emits a quick green light.
See also
*
List of lighthouses in Connecticut
The U.S. state of Connecticut has fourteen active lighthouses in the state, two of which are maintained as private aids; six are standing but inactive. Another was destroyed after its deactivation. The earliest lighthouse in the state was erected ...
*
List of lighthouses in the United States
This is a list of lighthouses in the United States. The United States has had approximately a thousand lights as well as light towers, range lights, and pier head lights. Michigan has the most lights of any state with over 150 past and present l ...
References
External links
Picture of Noank Light 5 active light
{{Authority control , additional=Q108649914
Lighthouses in New London County, Connecticut
Long Island Sound
Lighthouses completed in 1868
Historic district contributing properties in Connecticut
National Register of Historic Places in New London County, Connecticut
Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut
Lighthouses completed in 1831
1831 establishments in Connecticut