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Lighthouses
have played a part in Long Island's history since the 19th century, guiding
and protecting ships as they enter and exit our harbors and navigate our
coastline. During the Whaling Era, these lighthouses safely guided
vessels to the ports of Greenport and Sag Harbor, as well as to other points
within eastern Long Island's Twin Forks.
The Cedar Island Light in particular guided ships to and from Sag Harbor for nearly a century, and underwent a number of additions and renovations from its original wooden structure to the granite structure that exists today. Once nearly lost to erosion, Cedar Island actually became a peninsula when the famous Hurricane of 1938 created a sandbar that connected the island to the mainland. This area is now known as Cedar Point, and is also the home of Cedar Point Park.
The
Light was deactivated in 1934, and after years of inactivity, several different
owners, and near destruction by vandalism and fire, there is currently
an exciting initiative to restore and preserve the Cedar Island Lighthouse.
Please visit the sites below for more information about Long Island's Lighthouse Heritage, and to learn more about Cedar Island and the proposed restoration project. We thank the Long Island Lighthouse Society and the Suffolk County Parks Department for their partnership and commitment to making this restoration a reality.