South Buffalo North Side Light

South Buffalo North Side Light is a lighthouse at Buffalo Harbor's entrance, built with a distinctive tapered shape that narrows toward the top. The structure features cast iron port windows set into its stone walls and sits on Coast Guard property along the river.

Built in 1903 to guide ships safely into Buffalo Harbor, the light played an important role as the port expanded and grew. Its optical system helped vessels navigate for many decades during the city's industrial shipping period.

The light represents maritime traditions of the Great Lakes and shows how important Buffalo became as a shipping hub for the region. Visitors can see from outside the grounds how this tower connects to the area's water-based heritage.

The site is located on Coast Guard property and is not open to the public, but can be viewed from the river or nearby public areas. The best views are from across the water or from viewpoints along the Buffalo River waterfront.

The tower has an unusual bottle shape that tapers from its wide base to just 27 inches at the very top. This design was engineered to reduce wind resistance while maintaining a strong and stable structure.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 42.83528,-78.86750

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:43