Morgan Point Lighthouse
Noank (Groton), Connecticut
Built in 1831
Location:
West side of the mouth of the Mystic River. Privately Owned.
| Latitude: 41° 19' 00" N Longitude: -71° 59' 22" W |
Historic Stories:
To help mariners enter the Mystic River and the harbor, the Morgan Point lighthouse was built in 1823.
Silas Spicer, who became keeper in the 1850's, observed a burning vessel offshore. He quickly rowed to the boat in flames and rescued the captain with his wife and child, bringing them safely back to the lighthouse.
Morgan Point had two women who were lighthouse Keepers when their husbands passed away. One of the female Keepers, Frances McDonald, who served from 1869 to 1871, passed her duties to her brother, Thaddeus Pecor, who went on to become one of the longest-serving keepers in history, with 48 years of service until 1919 when he retired at the age of 75.
Places to Visit Nearby:
In Noank, visit the Noank Historical Society Museum exhibiting maritime artifacts including early photos of Morgan Point.
Mystic Seaport is also nearby, and is an outdoor recreated 19th century village and educational maritime museum, with artifacts, exhibits, a working preservation shipyard, and four National Historic Landmark vessels. A replica lighthouse that is constructed familiar to Brant Point light on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts is also found there. The Mystic Aquarium provides educational and up close exhibits of marine life that include sharks, jelly fish, eels, and barracuda.
Best views of the lighthouse are from the water. From Waterford, Capt. John's Sport Fishing Center offers tours by the lighthouse. DownEast Lighthouse Cruises also offers tours past Morgan Point lighthouse.
Contact Info:
Noank Historical Society Museum
P.O. Box 9454
17 Sylvan Street
Noank, Connecticut 06340
Local Boat Tours
Boat cruises mentioned below offer many types of cruises. While some may offer specific lighthouse cruises, some will pass by specific lighthouses as part of charters, narrated wildlife and historic tours, ferrying passengers, whale watching, fishing tours and other types of excursions. Contact info is provided to help you plan your special trips to New England’s shorelines. Enjoy!
DownEast Lighthouse Cruises
Cruises are from a real lobster boat.
860-460-1802
Pine Island Marina,
Groton, CT.
Capt. John's Sport Fishing Center
Offers special lighthouse tours, and other adventure tours.
15 First Street
Waterford, Connecticut 06385
(860) 443-7259
info@sunbeamfleet.com
Sea Pony Cruises
Special lighthouse tours along Long Island Sound in a dinner tour boat.
Suite 202
14 Eugene O'Neill Drive
New London, CT 06320
Phone: (860) 440-2734