Sodus Point, NY

Photographer: Roy B. Westin

Sodus Point

Sodus Point, New York

Built : 1825, 1871

Construction : Square, limestone, integral

Status : Inactive

Height : 45 feet

Location : Sodus Bay entrance, New York

Access : Car - from Route 104, turn North on Route 14 following into the town of Sodus Point. Turn right on to Bay Street, then left onto Ontario Street and follow to the lighthouse.

Photo courtesy of: U.S. Coast Guard

Lighthouse History : On May 26, 1824, Congress appropriated $4,500.00 for construction of a lighthouse to be located on Great Sodus Bay, New York. The site originally chosen by the government for the lighthouse was petitioned by area residents and masters and owners of vessels that operated on Lake Ontario which forced the government to change the location.

William Wickham sold the publicly approved parcel of land to the Federal Government for $68.75. In 1825, construction of the lighthouse was complete. In 1868 An inspection of the lighthouse in 1868 uncovered many problems such as a leaking roof and poorly constructed walls.

Congress once again appropriated funds in the amount of $14,000 for the construction of a new lighthouse at the same location. Completed on June 30, 1871, the square limestone tower reaches a height of 45 feet. It was constructed on a natural, emplaced foundation with an integral keeper's dwelling. The black cast iron lantern room is equipped with a Fourth Order Fresnel lens and capped with a red roof. This new lighthouse is constructed almost identical to the Stony Point lighthouse also on Lake Ontario.

The 1825 lighthouse tower was then dismantled and it's stones were then used to construct a jetty for protection of the shoreline in front of the lighthouse.

In 1901, the lighthouse discontinued service and the Fresnel lens was removed. A new Pier light was constructed at the harbor entrance as it's replacement. The keeper's quarters remained in use for this new pier light.

In 1977, the lighthouse was included in the National Registry of Historic Places.

In 1984, the Town of Sodus obtained ownership of the property and the shoreline was reconstructed to help slow erosion of the land around the lighthouse.

In 1988, the 3 1/2 Order Fresnel lens was brought back and installed in the lantern room.

Visiting the Light: Now maintained by the Sodus Bay Historical Society, the lighthouse is open to the public and houses a maritime museum - call for more details.

Sodus Bay Historical Society
7606 N. Ontario Street
Sodus Point, New York 14555
(315) 483-4936