This page last updated 07/18/06
The Montauk lighthouse. 2/12/99.
This watercolor painting of the Montauk Point light was created by Joseph C Crownover Sr. (1913-1999) in the early 1960s. His work is used here with the permission of his daughter Laura.
Location: On Turtle Hill (the furthest point East on the South Fork)
Description: 110 feet, flashing white light every five seconds. Tower is octagonal, white and brown, made of sandstone
History of light: 1792: Construction authorized by the Second Congress.
1796, June 7: Construction began.
1796, November 5: Construction completed.
1797, Spring: Light first lit.
1860: Tower height increased to accept First Order Fresnel lens.
1903: Third-and-one-half Order bivalve lens installed and brown stripe added to tower.
1938: Electric and plumbing installed in keeper's quarters.
1987, February 3: Automated.
1999: Renovations to the tower and lantern completed. Band on tower is painted a redder brown than it had been, making the color closer to the original band.
Current use: Active aid to navigation.
The surrounding area: Montauk Point is the easternmost point on Long Island. Bring your binoculars and spotting scope; the area is great for birding. Check the Long Island area rare bird alert before making the trip.
Public access? Yes. The keeper's house and tower are open to the public. Call for museum hours. Located off of Route 27 next to Montauk Point State Park
Who to contact: Montauk Historical Society 631-668-2544. Outside of the area, call 1-888-MTK-POINT. www.montauklighthouse.com
Similar Lights: The Eaton's Neck light is similar, but smaller, and was designed and built by the same man two years after the building of this light..
Other information:
Check out my Montauk Lighthouse Photo Gallery.
See some pictures from my visit to the Montauk Lighthouse Museum.
Back to NewYorkLighthouses.com
All the text, code and photographs on this page are © 1998-2006 Robert G. Müller. Please don't copy any text, code or photographs from this site without my written permission. Thanks for understanding and respecting my work. :-)