Stepping Stones Light

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Stepping Stones Light

Stepping Stones Light
Location: Long Island Sound, in Nassau County, New York. Marks outer end of reef
Coordinates
WGS-84 (GPS)
40°49′28″N, 73°46′29″W
Foundation: Granite and concrete pier
Construction: Red brick
Year first lit: 1877
Automated: 1967
Tower shape: Square, red brick, granite trim, black and white lantern
Height: 46 ft
Original lens: fifth order Fresnel, 1877
Range: 8 mile
Characteristic: Green light occulting every 4 sec

Stepping Stones Light is a Victorian-style lighthouse in Long Island Sound, in Nassau County, New York. The lighthouse is square-shaped and made of red brick, standing one-and-a-half stories high. The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is a virtual twin of this structure.

USCG historical photo, undated
Enlarge
USCG historical photo, undated

It was originally lit in 1877, and automated in 1967. It remains in use today, under the management of the United States Coast Guard. It is not open to the public. The lighthouse is located at 40° 49′ 28′′ N, 73° 46′ 29′′ W, shows an occulting green light 46 feet above the water, with an 8 mile visible range. It is light list number 21505.

The reef upon which it sits was given its name by Siwanoy (Minnefords) Native American legends. According to the legend, the tribe used warriors, medicine, and magic to chase the devil out of present-day Westchester County, New York onto City Island (formerly Greater Minneford Island), surrounding him at Belden Point. The devil then picked up huge boulders lying there and tossed them into Long Island Sound, using them as stepping stones to make his escape. The natives named the rocks, "The Devil's Stepping Stones".

It is listed as number 21505 in USCG light lists.

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