Hudson–Athens Lighthouse

Coordinates: 42°15′7″N 73°48′31″W / 42.25194°N 73.80861°W / 42.25194; -73.80861
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Hudson–Athens lighthouse
Hudson–Athens Lighthouse
MPS
Hudson River Lighthouses TR
NRHP reference No.79003796
Added to NRHPMay 29, 1979[1]

The Hudson–Athens Lighthouse, sometimes called the Hudson City light, is a

Second Empire architectural style,[4]
with a mansard roof. It is considered to be virtually a twin of the Stepping Stones Light in Long Island Sound, which was constructed just a few years later.

History

The station's beacon was originally lighted by Henry D. Best, the station's first lightkeeper, on November 14, 1874.

Nelson A. Rockefeller, suggested that certain lighthouses owned by the United States Coast Guard be turned over to not-for-profit historical groups to ensure their preservation and upkeep. Hudson–Athens was the first station to be tried through such a program, and on February 15, 1984, a 20-year lease was signed between the Coast Guard and the Hudson–Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (HALPS).[6] In 2000, title to the station was turned over permanently to HALPS.[5]
Today, the Preservation Society conducts occasional tours of the station, which is being restored to its condition as it would have been in the 1930s.

The Lighthouse was documented by the

Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) as survey number NY-6286. There are 9 architectural drawings available in the survey.[7]

The Hudson–Athens Lighthouse is shown on the

NOAA Chart 12347.[8]

Chronology

Chronology from USCG web site

  • 1872: Congress of U.S. approves $35,000.00 to build the lighthouse.
  • 1873–1874: Lighthouse was constructed.
  • 1874, November 14: Lighthouse was put into operation with Henry D. Best as the first keeper.
  • 1949, November 10: The lighthouse was automated.
  • 1940s: Electricity was installed.
  • 1967: Nelson A. Rockefeller established the Hudson River Valley Commission, which suggested the USCG deed over or lease lighthouse facilities to public or not-for-profit groups for maintenance and preservation.
  • 1982: Hudson–Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society was formed.
  • February 15, 1984: A 20-year lease between the Lighthouse Preservation Society and the USCG was signed. This was the first lease of its kind.
  • 2002: Occasional tours are available to the public through the Lighthouse Preservation Society

Cultural

The Archives Center at the

National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
.

The Hudson–Athens Lighthouse is featured in the book Curious Constructions – A Peculiar Portfolio Of Fifty Fascinating Structures by Michael Hearst.[10]

The lighthouse can be briefly seen in the 1959 noir film, Odds Against Tomorrow.[11]

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ "ARLHS World List of Lights". Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
  3. ^ Light List, Volume I, Atlantic Coast, St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard.
  4. ISBN 978-0-7627-4438-1
    .
  5. ^ a b "Hudson (Hudson–Athens) Lighthouse, New York at Lighthousefriends.com". Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved October 5, 2006.
  6. ^ a b "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: New York". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017.
  7. ^ "Hudson-Athens Lighthouse (drawings)". Historic American Buildings Survey. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  8. ^ "NOAA Chart 12347". Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2009.
  9. ^ Smithsonian lighthouse postcards Archived March 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ISBN 978-1-4521-6249-2
    . Retrieved May 17, 2019. ... The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse has a twin—the Stepping Stones Lighthouse in Long Island Sound.
  11. ^ "Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)". NYC in Film. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hudson-Athens Light.
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