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he Saugerties Lighthouse
is rich in local lore and history, and unique to Hudson
River Lighthouses it is the only lighthouse directly
accessible from land. Take a leisurely stroll through
the Nature Preserve skirting the tidal pools, stands
of trees and expanses of reeds and arrive in the middle
of the majestic Hudson River.
But that only mentiones the obvious.
In 1838 the first lighthouse
located at the mouth of the Esopus Creek at Saugerties
was erected. Originally, the lighthouse stood on a
small island in the Hudson to guide shipping away
from the shallows or into the bustling commercial
and passenger port of Saugerties.
Early in the 19th century
the Village of Saugerties consisted of less than 20
homes. In the 1820's Henry Barclay partnered with
Robert L Livingston and developed a planned community
surrounding a series of water powered industries on
the Esopus, eventually becoming the largest concentration
of water powered businesses in the world. Navigation
into and out of the Esopus became a critical navigation
issue leading to the building of the original light.
 In
the mid 19th century it became necessary to improve
access to the Esopus because industry was growing
so dramatically with cooperages, iron works, paper,
calico, brick making and ice harvesting. A jetty was
constructed extending out to the lighthouse and the
Esopus was dredged, with the spoils being deposited
along the jetty.
In 1869 the present lighthouse
was erected sitting on a massive circular stone base
sixty feet in diameter. A sixth-order Fresnel lens
was used with kerosene lamps as the beacon signaling
the entrance to the Esopus to shipping. The foundation
for the original lighthouse remains as a small island
adjacent to the exisiting lighthouse.
The Saugerrties Lighthouse
continued as a beacon in the Hudson serving shipping
until, in 1954, the Coast Guard automated the light
making the brick structure and the light keeper obsolete.
The building was closed and over the next 20 years
quickly fell into near total disrepair. Like most
of the antique lighthouses on the Hudson, the Saugerties
Lighthouse became a white elephant; abandoned, neglected
and slowly crumbling on its stone base at the tip
if its arrtificial peninsula.
 The
next chapter in the life of the Lighthouse began in
the mid-70's as Ruth Reynolds Glunt and architect
Elise Barry began the long task of having the Lighthouse
declared an important historic structure. Finally
in 1978 they succeeded in getting the Lighthouse listed
on the National Register of Historic Structures sparking
a drive by local citizens to bring the old structure
back to life.
The Saugerties Lighthouse
Conservancy was formed in 1985 with the purpose of
acquiring the lighthouse and restoring it to its former
glory.. The Coast Guard, the original owners of the
lighthouse, gave up jurisdiction and the property
reverted back to New York State. The Conservancy then
bought the deteriorated remains of the lighthouse
for one dollar. Efforts to stabilize the building
began shortly thereafter. Plans for the reconstruction
were completed by Alex Wade and a barge to haul construction
materials was built. An elaborate scaffolding and
shoring system was created to hold up the sagging
tower, floors and roof so that new brick walls could
be constructed. More than 10,000 new bricks were required
to replace bricks that had crumbled. Tons of masonry
materials were manually loaded onto the barge and
transported to the lighthouse. The entire masonry
structure, including the massive stone base, has been
reconstructed.
 The
lantern that houses the light was removed from the
building and completely restored to its original condition.
The Coast Guard has installed a fourth order solar
powered light. After 36 years without a light in the
lighthouse tower, it was finally restored to operation
on August 4, 1990. A replica picket fence surrounds
the lighthouse. On it are the names of the many keepers
who lived and worked here and hundreds of donors who
contributed towards the restoration.
Local craftsman completed
the building with woodwork, plastering, and painting.
The work to maintain the lighthouse continues with
the help of volunteers and members.
On weekends and holidays
between Memorial Day and Columbus Day guided tours
of the lighthouse are available between the hours
of 2pm and 5pm. A suggested donation of $3.00 for
adults and $1.00 for children is gratefully accepted.
To visit the interior of the lighthouse at other times
you must either be fortunate enough to find the keeper
in residence, or you can call ahead and schedule a
visit.
The lighthouse is furnished
somewhat like it might have been around 1910. A small
museum on the second floor of the lighthouse and a
videotape give more details regarding the history
and dramatic restoration of the lighthouse.
From it's past glory
to it's near collapse to the amazing dedication of
the people who rebuilt it, the Lighthouse now stands
solid as a testimony to the triumph of love and teamwork.
CLICK
HERE to view the Saugerties Lighthouse
360° Panorama!
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Walk
back through the Nature Preserve to your car and explore
the many antiques shops of Saugerties, wander through
neaby Historic Kingston and the Rondout. Visit nearby
New Paltz to visit the oldest street in America with
its original houses and walk the trails or climb the
Shawangunk cliffs of Minnewaska State Park or The
Mohonk Preserve. Or head west into the glorious Catskill
High Peaks Region and tube down the Esopus Creek,
take your tackle and fly fish where it all started
or hike the trails of the Catskills State Park. Cross
the Hudson and visit the Great Estates of the Hudson
Valley where you can tour the homes of FDR, the Vanderbilts
and other houses of the rich and famous that settled
in the Valley. 
