New London Harbor Lighthouse
New London, Connecticut
Built in 1801
Location:
The lighthouse sits on the western side of the entrance to New London Harbor. Private residence, but you can take photos from various spots near the lighthouse.
| Latitude: 41° 19' 00" N Longitude: -72° 05' 24" W |
Historic Stories:
New London Harbor Lighthouse is the fourth oldest lighthouse in the country and one of the earliest American lighthouses with a flashing light.
In 1761, thousands of lottery tickets were sold to help pay for an early stone tower with a wooden lantern at the harbor entrance (this was a popular method of raising funds for construction projects in those days).
The lighthouse was built in 1801 to accommodate the increasing traffic for the fishing and whaling industries, and by the middle of the 1800's, New London was America's third largest leading whaling port.
New London Harbor Light became the center for conducting many experiments with various types of fog signals. One fog siren developed and installed drew many complaints from the locals from its shrieking sound, prompting its replacement a few years later.
Places to Visit Nearby:
The Coast Guard Academy Museum, in New London, contains artifacts that span over two hundred years of history of America's premier maritime service. Visit Ocean Beach Park on Ocean Avenue and play in beautiful clean beaches, its water slide, pool, or play miniature golf.
Nearby in Essex, take an Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Ride in 1920's style coaches pulled by a real steam locomotive. The Ivoryton Playhouse provides a year round professional season of theater and musicals.
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.
At Steamboat dock, visit the Connecticut River Museum, where you can view a replica of the Turtle, America's first submarine, built in 1775, and other exhibits.
DownEast Lighthouse Cruises, Capt. John's Sport Fishing Center, Cross Sound Ferry Services, Inc., and Fisher's Island Ferry, or any of the ferries, offer close views of the lighthouse. Better views of the lighthouse are from the water.
Directions:
- From Route I-95 N, take Exit 82A, From Route I-95 S, take Exit 82B to Colman Street turning right, then
- Left on Bank Street
- Right at Shaw Street, onto Pequot Ave
- Follow the Ocean Beach signs along Pequot Ave until you come to the lighthouse.
- Be wary that the keeper's residence is privately owned, and the grounds are not open to the public.
Contact Info:
New London Maritime Society
150 Bank Street,
New London, CT 06320
(860) 447-2501
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.
Lighthouses: Avery Point, New London Ledge Lighthouse, New London Harbor Light, Morgan Point Lighthouse, Stonington Harbor Lighthouse
Capt. John's Sport Fishing Center
Special lighthouse tours, among deep fishing and other adventure tours.
15 First Street
Waterford, Connecticut 06385
(860) 443-7259
info@sunbeamfleet.com
Lighthouses: New London Ledge Lighthouse, New London Harbor Light, Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse, Lynde Point Lighthouse, Morgan Point Lighthouse, North Dumpling Light (NY), Race Rock Light (NY), Latimer Reef Light (NY)
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
Lighthouses: New London Ledge Lighthouse, New London Harbor Light, Avery Point, Morgan’s Point, Latimer Reef Light (NY), The Dumplings (NY), and Race Rock Light (NY).
Argia Mystic Cruises
Offers a special lighthouse 1/2 day cruise aboard an 81-foot sailing schooner.
Schooner Wharf
15 Holmes Street
Mystic, CT 06355
Phone: 860-536-0416
Fax: 860-536-0000