Oswego, NY

Photographer: Roy B. Westin

Lighthouse History : In 1822, a stone tower lighthouse and keeper's dwelling were constructed on the East side of the Oswego River at Fort Ontario to guide vessels into the busy port city of Oswego.

With maritime commerce growing rapidly on Lake Ontario, a breakwater was constructed on the West side of the river to help protect the harbor. In 1836, a new lighthouse was constructed at the end of this pier. The lighthouse was of an octagonal shape with an attached oil room. Housing a Third Order Fresnel lens, it produced a constant white beacon with a visibility range of 14 miles. The height of this lighthouse was increased an additional 25 feet in 1869.

Oswego West Pier

Oswego, New York

Built : 1822, 1836, 1934

Construction : Square, steel

Status : Active

Lat. 43º 28' 24" N - Long. 76º 31' 00" W

Height : 59 feet

Location : Oswego River, New York

Access : Car - from Route 104, turn North onto West First Street in Oswego. Follow to Van Buren and turn left. Continue bearing right onto Lake Street which will take you to the end of the pier.

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

In 1880, the breakwater was extended with an Outer Breakwater light constructed at the end. Grain elevators constructed at the harbor created an obstruction for the original Inner Harbor Light and it was dismantled in the early 1920's.

In 1934, a new lighthouse was constructed at the end of the breakwater. A crib /pier foundation was constructed of rubble and concrete with an external "wave flare" and internal storage areas. A square steel and cast-iron tower stands atop this foundation along with an attached, square building. Both structures are capped with a steel roof. This new Outer lighthouse has a day-mark of white with green trim and red roofs on both the quarters and the lantern. The Original lens was a Fourth Order Fresnel.

During a keeper exchange in 1942, several Coast Guardsmen lost their lives with local stories having them haunting the lighthouse today.

Automated in 1968, the light is still operating as an active aid to navigation. The light now produces an occulting red beacon on 5 second intervals with a lens focal plane of 57 feet above lake level and a visibility range of 14 miles. This solar powered, modern optic was installed in 1995. In addition, there is a fog signal that operates with a 3 second blast every 30 seconds. A Radio Beacon is also established here with a 360 KHz ( . _ _ ) signal.

Viewing the Light: Direct access to the lighthouse is not allowed. The directions listed above get you to the pier for viewing. Located nearby is the H. Lee White museum featuring Colonial and Iroquios exhibits. The lighthouse can be viewed from there also. The Old Fort Ontario on the East side of the river provides a higher vantage point viewing.