Sodus Point, New York
Harbour Lights #351

Located on Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario, Sodus Point was first established in 1825 and today houses a museum that provides visitors a variety of historic displays that introduce visitors to the maritime history of Sodus Bay and Wayne County, New York.

On a parcel of land purchased for $68.75, and with a Congressional appropriation of $4,500 the first Lighthouse and keeper’s dwelling were built. It was on an inspection of the Light in 1868 that a leaking roof and poorly constructed walls would not allow the Light to continue its work.

In 1871 with $14,000 a new 45’ tower and dwelling made of limestone were built, the original 1825 split stone tower and dwelling were used to build a 70’ jetty directly in front of the new lighthouse.

The new tower, with a black cast iron lantern room and a Fourth Order Fresnel Lens was first lit on June 30, 1871.

Sodus Point stayed lit for seventy-five years, then in 1901 the Fresnel Lens was removed and a Pier Light was built at the harbor’s entrance. The Keeper’s dwelling remained in use from 1901-1984, a residence for personnel maintaining the new Pier Light.

Included in the National Registry of Historic Places in 1977, the Third Order Lens was returned to the red-capped lantern room seven years later.