Hudson-Athens Light
Encyclopedia
The Hudson–Athens lighthouse, sometimes called the Hudson City light, is a lighthouse
located in the Hudson River
in the state of New York
in the United States
. The light is located between Hudson
and Athens
, closer to the Hudson side. Constructed in 1873, it marks a sandy ridge known as Middle Ground Flats and also acts as a general aid to navigation of the river. The station is built on a granite caisson
with a unique shape designed to protect it from ice floes and river debris. The dwelling is constructed in the Second Empire architectural style,
with a Mansard roof
. It is considered to be virtually a twin of the Stepping Stones Light
in Long Island Sound, which was constructed just a few years later.
be turned over to not-for-profit historical groups to ensure their preservation and upkeep. Hudson–Athens was the first station to be tried through such a program, and on February 15, 1984, a 20-year lease was signed between the Coast Guard and the Hudson–Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (HALPS). In 2000, title to the station was turned over permanently to HALPS. Today, the Preservation Society conducts occasional tours of the station, which is being restored to its condition as it would have been in the 1930s.
The Lighthouse is listed in the Historic American Buildings Survey
as NY-6286. There are 9 architectural drawings available in the survey.
The Hudson–Athens lighthouse is shown on the NOAA Chart 12347.
s of lighthouses and has digitized 272 of these and made them available online. These include postcards of Hudson–Athens Light with links to customized nautical charts provided by National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
located in the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
in the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The light is located between Hudson
Hudson, New York
Hudson is a city located along the west border of Columbia County, New York, United States. The city is named after the adjacent Hudson River and ultimately after the explorer Henry Hudson.Hudson is the county seat of Columbia County...
and Athens
Athens (town), New York
Athens is a town in Greene County, New York, USA. The population was 4,089 at the 2010 census.The Town of Athens has a village also called Athens...
, closer to the Hudson side. Constructed in 1873, it marks a sandy ridge known as Middle Ground Flats and also acts as a general aid to navigation of the river. The station is built on a granite caisson
Caisson (engineering)
In geotechnical engineering, a caisson is a retaining, watertight structure used, for example, to work on the foundations of a bridge pier, for the construction of a concrete dam, or for the repair of ships. These are constructed such that the water can be pumped out, keeping the working...
with a unique shape designed to protect it from ice floes and river debris. The dwelling is constructed in the Second Empire architectural style,
with a Mansard roof
Mansard roof
A mansard or mansard roof is a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof characterized by two slopes on each of its sides with the lower slope at a steeper angle than the upper that is punctured by dormer windows. The roof creates an additional floor of habitable space, such as a garret...
. It is considered to be virtually a twin of the Stepping Stones Light
Stepping Stones Light
Stepping Stones Light is a Victorian-style lighthouse in Long Island Sound, in Nassau County, New York. The lighthouse is square-shaped and made of red brick, standing one-and-a-half stories high. The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is a virtual twin of this structure. The light is in current use,...
in Long Island Sound, which was constructed just a few years later.
History
The station's beacon was originally lighted by Henry D. Best, the station's first lightkeeper, on November 14 , 1874. It was upgraded to a fifth-order Fresnel lens in 1926, and the station was fully automated on November 10, 1949. In 1967, the Hudson River Valley Commission, led by Nelson A. Rockefeller, suggested that certain lighthouses owned by the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
be turned over to not-for-profit historical groups to ensure their preservation and upkeep. Hudson–Athens was the first station to be tried through such a program, and on February 15, 1984, a 20-year lease was signed between the Coast Guard and the Hudson–Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society (HALPS). In 2000, title to the station was turned over permanently to HALPS. Today, the Preservation Society conducts occasional tours of the station, which is being restored to its condition as it would have been in the 1930s.
The Lighthouse is listed in the Historic American Buildings Survey
Historic American Buildings Survey
The Historic American Buildings Survey , Historic American Engineering Record , and Historic American Landscapes Survey are programs of the National Park Service established for the purpose of documenting historic places. Records consists of measured drawings, archival photographs, and written...
as NY-6286. There are 9 architectural drawings available in the survey.
The Hudson–Athens lighthouse is shown on the NOAA Chart 12347.
Chronology
Chronology from USCG web site- 1872: Congress of U.S. approves $35,000.00 to build the light.
- 1873 - 1874: Light was constructed.
- 1874, November 14: Light was put into operation with Henry D. Best as the first keeper.
- 1949, November 10: The light was automated.
- 1940's: Electricity was installed.
- 1967: Nelson A. Rockefeller established the Hudson River Valley Commission, which suggested the USCG deed over or lease lighthouse facilities to public or not-for-profit groups for maintenance and preservation.
- 1982: Hudson–Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society was formed.
- 1984, February 15: A 20 year lease between the Lighthouse Preservation Society and the USCG was signed. This was the first lease of its kind.
- 2002: Occasional tours are available to the public through the Lighthouse Preservation Society
Cultural
The Archives Center at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History has a collection (#1055) of souvenir postcardPostcard
A postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope....
s of lighthouses and has digitized 272 of these and made them available online. These include postcards of Hudson–Athens Light with links to customized nautical charts provided by National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
External links
- Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, Hudson River, Athens, Greene, NY: 9 drawings and 1 data page at Historic American Building Survey
- Official site of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society
- Lighthousefriends.com page on the Hudson-Athens Light
- U.S. National Parks Service page on Hudson-Athens
- Coast Guard list of Lighthouses
- Coast Guard list of assets
- Hudson Lights
- National Park Service's Maritime Heritage Program's Inventory of Historic Light Stations
- National Park Service's Maritime Heritage Program's Inventory of NY Historic Light Stations