Orient Long Beach Bar Light, Lighthouse in Orient Harbor, United States
Orient Long Beach Bar Light is a lighthouse standing 20 meters tall with a white frame dwelling attached to the tower, featuring a mansard roof. The structure rests on distinctive screwpile foundations that extend into the seabed between Orient Harbor and Gardiners Bay.
Congress authorized construction in 1870 and the light first shone on December 1, 1871, guiding boats through dangerous waters. The original structure burned in 1963 but was later rebuilt with help from the community.
Locals call it the Bug Light because the screwpile foundation looks like an insect's legs in the water during high tide. The name stuck and shows how people create informal ties to the places they know.
The location sits on a hazardous sandbar that can be tricky to navigate, so checking water levels and tides is helpful if you plan to visit. The solar-powered light works best during clear weather with good visibility.
After the 1963 fire, residents and neighbors donated materials and labor to rebuild it in less than two months during 1990. This rapid community effort shows how much the structure means to those who rely on its light.
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