Charlotte - Genesee, NY

Photographer: Roy B. Westin

Charlotte - Genesee

Rochester, New York

Built : 1822

Construction : Octagonal, rubble stone

Status : Inactive, museum

Height : 40 feet

Location : Genesee River, New York

Access : Car - located behind Holy Cross Church. From the East follow Lakeshore Blvd. to Lake Avenue. Turn North and follow to the church. From the West take Ontario State Parkway to Lake Avenue. Turn North and follow to the church.

Photographer: Roy B. Westin

Lighthouse History : William Hincher and his family had settled on a hilly piece of land which overlooked the West bank of the Genesee River. After his passing in 1822, his widow Mehitable, sold the 3 1/4 acres of land to the Federal Government for $400. Commercial trade on Lake Ontario had been steadily growing, and they were to build a new lighthouse here as an Aid to Navigation for ships entering the Port of Rochester, NY. At the time of it's construction, this location was part of the village of Charlotte.

Constructed of rubble stone on a natural, emplaced foundation, the octagonal tower reaches 40 feet in height. It's original lantern housed 10 argand lamps with reflectors fueled by whale oil. The lighthouse has a day-mark of natural with a black lantern.

In 1853, a Fourth Order Fresnel lens was installed with a new lantern and cast iron steps replaced the wooden tower steps.

In 1863, the keeper's residence was reconstructed to it's present structure.

In 1829, piers were constructed at the mouth of the Genesee River to prevent the formation of sandbars. Entry to the river was often restricted by the formation sandbars which now built-up along the piers. Eventually the piers needed to be lengthened putting the lighthouse further from the channel entrance. In 1838, a pier light was constructed. This pier light was eventually destroyed by high winds. A new cast-iron pier light built in 1880 was eventually moved to Cleveland.

Photographer: Roy B. Westin

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

In 1881, the lighthouse was taken out of commission. The Lighthouse Service continued use of the keeper's residence until 1940. The Coast Guard assumed control at that time and the house became residence of the Coast Guard station commander. The lantern room and lens were removed in 1884 and installed on the newly constructed West Pier light. In 1931, the pier light was reconstructed.

West Pier Light Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

Reconstructed again in 1995, the pier light is now a cylindrical, steel tower with a white and red day-mark operating as an active Aid to Navigation. It produces a flashing white beacon on 7 1/2 second intervals with a lens focal plane of 59 feet above lake level and a visibility range of 18 miles.

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

The East Pier light was also constructed. It is now a cylindrical, steel tower with a white and green day-mark operating as an active Aid to Navigation. It produces a flashing green beacon on 4 second intervals with a lens focal plane of 34 feet above lake level and a visibility range of 10 miles.

In 1965, the students of Charlotte High School saved the lighthouse with a letter campaign after hearing rumors it would be dismantled. Declared surplus by the U.S. Government in 1981, the lighthouse and residence were turned over to the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society. A new lantern room was constructed of wood by students from Edison Tech High School and the Coast Guard loaned a fourth-order Fresnel lens from the Cleveland, Ohio Lighthouse to complete the project. The lighthouse was finally lit again in June of 1984.

In 1991, the site was deeded to Monroe County. Monroe County now leases the lighthouse to the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society. The keeper's house and garage are now home to a museum and gift shop.

Left: Old East Pier Light

Hours: Open weekends May - Oct., 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call (716) 621-6179 for details.

Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society: 70 Lighthouse St., Rochester, NY 14612