Stratford Shoal Light

Stratford Shoal Light is a lighthouse in Long Island Sound featuring an octagonal granite tower with a white exterior marked by a red band. The structure sits on an artificial island and operates automatically today to warn vessels about the dangerous shoal between Port Jefferson and Bridgeport.

Congress authorized construction in 1877 to replace a lightship that continuously drifted from its assigned position. This change made the route safer and more reliable for merchant traffic.

This lighthouse represents an important moment in American maritime safety, showing how shipping routes were managed in the 1800s. Visitors who see it from the water can understand why such structures were essential for protecting merchant vessels traveling between major ports.

The lighthouse can be viewed from boats or the shoreline, but there is no public landing access. The best views come from the water, especially in clear weather when the red and white coloring stands out clearly.

This structure was one of the first prefabricated cast iron towers built in America, showcasing an innovative building approach for its era. Assembling it on the artificial island required special engineering skills that demonstrated technical advances of the time.

Location: Fairfield County

Inception: 1837

Height: 11 m

GPS coordinates: 41.05981,-73.10131

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:04