Esopus Meadows Light, Maritime lighthouse in Ulster County, United States.
Esopus Meadows Light is a 17-meter (56-foot) wooden lighthouse on the western bank of the Hudson River with white clapboard siding and a red mansard roof. Its renovated interior displays original 19th-century furnishings and equipment.
An original lighthouse from 1839 suffered damage from flooding and ice, prompting construction of the current structure in 1871. The building was essential for navigation on this stretch of river.
The building displays Second Empire style typical of 19th-century Hudson River lighthouses, with its distinctive red mansard roof and white clapboard making it instantly recognizable to anyone using the river.
Access to the lighthouse is only by boat, so you will need to arrange a guided boat tour to visit. Tours are offered mainly during summer months and include access to the renovated interior spaces.
This is the only wooden lighthouse still standing on the Hudson River, making it a rare example of this construction method. Its modern solar-powered system is visible from up to 12 nautical miles, showing how historical structures have been adapted for contemporary use.
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