-
Lottery for the building of a lighthouse for entrance to the New York Harbor was established
The New York merchants needed a lighthouse after losing a lot of money from shipwrecks. Two lottery drawings in New York City paid for the construction. A new tax on ships coming in paid for the upkeep. -
Second Lottery for Lighthouse Drawn
A second lottery for the lighthouse was drawn. Constuction was undertaken by Mr. Issac Conro of New york City. He also named the lighthouse the "New York" Lighthouse. -
Sandy Hook Lighthouse lit for the first time
The Light House is an octogonal figure. The whole constructure of the Lanthorn is iron and the top is covered with copper. It is nine stories high. The lamps installed in the crown were of copper encased in a lantern of ordinary glass. There are 48 oil blazes. The LightKeeper was allowed to stay in the Lighthouse. -
Orders were given to destroy the Lighthouse
Word was given that the British would soon arrive in New York. The New York Congress decided to destroy the light so as not to aid the enemy. -
Lamps were removed from the Lighthouse
A memorandum from Colonel George Taylor states, "'Received from Wm. Malcolm, eight copper lamps, two tackle falls and blocks, and three casks, and a part of a cask of oil, being articles brought from the light- house on Sandy Hook.'" -
American try to douse the Lighthouse
A British landing party was dispatched to relight the tower using improvised lamps and reflectors. This effort was successful because the Americans again tried to douse the light, this time using a pair of cannons mounted on small boats under the command of Captain John Conover. The Americans succeeded in damaging the tower somewhat but not enough to take it from the British control. -
The federal government gains control of the Lighthouse
A feud over the lighthouse broke out between the states of New Jersey and New York. This disagreement was quickly defused when the Act of August 7, 1789 gave control of all lighthouses to the federal government. -
First lighthouse to use electric incandescent lamps
-
President Roosevelt gives the Lighthouse to the Coast Guard
With the war nearing in Europe, Presiden Roosevelt orders the Coast Guard to command the lighthouse. Once America entered the war the Coast Guard extinguished all beacon at U.S. lighthouses so as not to give direction to enemy ships.
After the war, the beacons were relit. -
Sandy Hook Light declared a National Historical Landmark
at the 200 year celebration of the Lighthouse Sandy Hook Light was declared a National Historical Landmark. The light is currently an automated 3rd order Fresnel lens, fixed, white light that is visible for nineteen miles on a clear night. The light is maintained by the Sandy Hook Coast Guard Station and is kept on 24 hours a day. -
Sandy Hook Light restored
Sandy Hook Light was restored in spring of 2000 and is part of Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook. -
Sandy Hook Light Closed to Public
Due to the governemnt shutdown, Sandy Hook Light will not be open to visitors.
