Stratford Point Lighthouse
Stratford, Connecticut
Built in 1821
Location:
Marking the entrance to Stratford Harbor, the lighthouse is off Prospect Drive from the airport. Grounds around the lighthouse are closed to the public.
| Latitude: 41° 09' 07" N |
| Longitude: 73° 06' 12" W |
Historic Stories:
Stratford was involved in shipbuilding and the oyster industries, so Stratford Point lighthouse, was built in 1821 to accommodate the increasing traffic and the consistent foggy weather in the area. The lighthouse is sometimes referred to as "Lordship Light," as the light is stationed on land that was part of an early settlement called Lordship.
Stratford Point’s first keeper was Samuel Buddington. He and his wife Amy had seven children. The keeper was replaced at one time for political reasons, which were common practice, then reinstated in 1844 when Democrat James Polk won the election. Buddington died in 1848, and his wife took on the keeper’s duties.
Keeper’s Granddaughter Saves Steamer Elm City
In 1871, Keeper Benedict Lillingston had a visit to the lighthouse from his 12-year old granddaughter Lottie. The keepers had to go on a rescue effort after receiving signals of a nearby vessel in distress. After they left, Lottie noticed the light had gone out and managed to relight the secondary light as she had watched her grandfather perform many times beforehand with her. Her quick thinking helped to guide the oncoming steamer Elm City into the harbor safely.
Keeper Claimed to Have Seen Mermaids
The area is often blanketed in dense fog throughout the year, and at times, the fog can wreak havoc on someone’s imagination, leaving lighthouse personnel constantly on alert for the nearby waters. Keeper Theodore Judson, also known as “Theed,” began claiming to have seen mermaids, prompting locals to call him “Crazy Judson.”
In 1915, he gave a local press interview in which he said that on July 4, as fog from an approaching storm descended, he witnessed a group of 12-15 mermaids gathering around the rocks off the point, apparently drawn to the sound of the foghorn, as moths may be drawn to light. He added that one mermaid was simply sitting on a rock by herself, combing her long, golden hair. He described her as a fair-skinned, human-like beauty with silver-spangled scales from the waist down to her 3-foot tail. He further claimed that as he crept up to catch her, she scratched him, hissed at him, and then dove back into the water.
To substantiate the claim, the keeper produced the brush he said he had taken from her and noted that “mermaids use brushes from the staterooms of wrecked steamers.” Both his wife and his assistant, Will, corroborated his account and agreed that the hairbrush came from the mermaid. The keeper was not removed from office over his claims and remained as keeper for another 6 years, although prior to his claims of observing the mermaids, he had told reporters he had seen a 200-foot sea serpent off the shoreline. Judson stayed at the lighthouse for nearly 41 years, from 1880 to 1921. He made no further mention of mermaids or serpents after reporting his last encounter, and no one was able to change his mind about the incident. He became the longest serving keeper at Stratford Point Light.
| One of his daughters, Agnes, is credited with saving two fishermen who were knocked out of their boat by a huge wave. |  1884 Image Before Red Stripe Courtesy US Coast Guard |
Keeper William Petzolt and his assistant were credited with rescuing 30 passengers from the stranded vessel Ellen May, where they were all cared for at the lighthouse, then brought into New Haven by trolley.
Daniel McCoart, a Navy veteran and former light heavyweight boxer, was the civilian keeper from 1945 to 1963, where he lived at the lighthouse with his family. He retired with a total of 44 years of lighthouse service at various stations.
When the tower was automated in 1970, Coast Guard personnel remained at the station until 2019. It was during this time that the town of Stratford reached an agreement with the federal government to use the property with its two buildings under a 20-year lease for only one dollar. The town hopes to acquire ownership of the lighthouse in the near future and has submitted the necessary applications.
Places to Visit Nearby:
Places like the Great Meadows unit in Stratford, one of ten units that comprise the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, provide plenty of trails to hike around the coastal wetlands, with special wildlife observation platforms.
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Stratford Point Island nearby is a great place for birding. Migrating monarch butterflies appear on the island in huge numbers during late September and early October. |
Stratford’s rich heritage, with it’s location on Long Island Sound, provides residents and visitors alike with two public bathing beaches, five marinas, several fishing piers and two public boat-launching facilities.
Stratford Point Lighthouse is a private residence, and the grounds around the lighthouse are closed to the public.
| However, visitors can still get interesting views and photos from outside the gate at Stratford Point, at the end of Prospect Drive. |
There are special guided tours available on certain dates at the lighthouse led by the town historian, who portrays the cheerful Keeper Theodore Judson, one of the early keepers who retired in 1921.
For those who want a more historic venue, Boothe Memorial Park and Museum sits on a 32-acre site, believed to be the oldest homestead in America. While the park has well marked trails, the museum tends a collection of 20 unique buildings and structures, including a carriage house, trolley station, windmill, miniature lighthouse, chapel, Americana Museum, a clock tower museum, and a blacksmith shop.
The National Helicopter Museum showcases the history of the helicopter and other aviation events from the early 1900s to the present, providing models, video, photos and documents. Strangely, its location is in a railroad station.
The Stratford Antique Center is comprised of up to 200 dealers showcasing all areas of antiques.
Driving Directions
Heading North
- From Route I-95 North, take Exit 30 to Route 113 (Lordship) and continue past Bridgeport Municipal Airport into Lordship.
- Continue along the airport fence and take left at Oak Bluff,
- At the rotary, follow Prospect Drive to a parking lot for lighthouse. Short walk to the lighthouse.
Heading South
- From Route I-95 South, Take Exit 32, then left on Frontage Road.
- On Route 113, continue onto Short Beach Drive past the airport into Lordship,
- At the multiple way intersection, take Prospect drive to the lighthouse.
Contact Info:
Town of Stratford
Books to Explore
Available in paperback. |
New England's Haunted Lighthouses: Explore the historical mysteries surrounding the haunted lighthouses of New England! Uncover ghostly tales of lingering keepers, victims of misfortune or from local shipwrecks, lost souls, ghost ships, and more. Immerse yourself in the tales associated with these iconic beacons! |
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: This resourceful book provides special human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses, along with plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions you can explore, and tours. There are also over 360 images to enjoy. More detailed accounts of the the stories mentioned above are provided along with some additional stories like the keeper who believed to have had an encounter with mermaids, and of course, more attractions near this beacon. Look inside! |
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Available from bookstores in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
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The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: In the beginning of the twentieth century, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants of sail were the ten original six-masted coal schooners and one colossal seven-masted vessel, built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies, and measured longer than a football field! This book, balanced with plenty of color and vintage images, showcases the historical accounts that followed these mighty ships. These true stories include competitions, accidents, battling destructive storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages. |
