Inventory of Historic Light Stations--New York--Buffalo (Main) Light

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
New York Lighthouses

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BUFFALO (MAIN) LIGHT

State: NEW YORK
Location: MOUTH OF BUFFALO RIVER / BLACK ROCK CANAL
Nearest City: BUFFALO
County: ERIE
U.S.C.G. District: 9
Year Station Established: 1818

Photo courtesy Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse & Veterans Park Museum

Existing Historic Tower:

Year Light First Lit: 1833
Is the Light Operational? NO
Date Deactivated: 1914
Automated:
Foundation Materials: STONE MOLEHEAD
Construction Materials: LIMESTONE/CAST IRON
Markings/Patterns: NATURAL
Shape: OCTAGONAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 61
Original Optic: THIRD ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed: 1857
Present Optic: UNKNOWN
Year Present Lens Installed:
Height of Focal Plane: 76
Fresnel Lens Disposition: IN THE BUFFALO & ERIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM
Has tower been moved? NO

Previous Tower(s):

1. Construction Date: 1818
Description: CONICAL 30-FOOT STONE TOWER
Fate/Disposition: DEMOLISHED, PROBABLY 1840S

Modern Tower? YES

Year Tower Constructed: 1963
Tower Height: 71
Current Optic: AEROBEACON, Year Installed: 1996

Existing Sound Signal Building? NO

Fog Signal Type: ORIG. BELL

Existing Keepers Quarters? NO (DISMANTLED)

Other Structures:

Current Use: MUSEUM DISPLAY

Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD LEASE TO BUFFALO LIGHTHOUSE ASSOCIATION, INC.

Open to the Public? YES (Go to Lighthouses to Visit for access information)

Web Site:

National Register Status: LISTED Reference #84002383
Name of Listing: BUFFALO MAIN LIGHT (U.S. COAST GUARD/GREAT LAKES TR)
On State List/Inventory? NO; Year Listed:

HABS/HAER Documentation? YES (NY-60)

Miscellaneous:
ONE OF OLDEST EXISTING TOWERS; WELCOMED IMMIGRANTS TO NATION'S HEARTLAND; KNOWN LOCALLY AS "CHINAMAN'S LIGHT"; RESTORED 1985

Last Modified: Tues, Mar 16 2004 7:09:02 pm EDT
JMP

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