Fort Wadsworth Light, Historic lighthouse at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, United States
Fort Wadsworth Light is a cylindrical brick tower located at the entrance to New York Harbor on the grounds of a historic military fort. The structure stands as a straightforward example of early 1900s lighthouse design with its distinctive red brick composition.
Construction of the lighthouse took place in 1903 and it functioned for decades guiding ships through the harbor passage. Its role as an active aid to navigation ceased in the 1960s as modern infrastructure and technology rendered it obsolete.
The lighthouse represents Staten Island's role as a harbor guardian and strategic defense post. Today it stands as a reminder of the island's connection to maritime trade and security.
The fort grounds are publicly accessible and free to visit at any time, allowing visitors to walk around and view the lighthouse from multiple angles. The location is reachable by public transit from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and works well as part of a broader exploration of the harbor area.
The lighthouse underwent a major restoration by volunteers in 2005 and was retrofitted with a solar power system to continue operating today. This revival transformed it from a forgotten relic into a functioning symbol of renewable energy and community stewardship.
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