New York's Little Red Lighthouse to Undergo $13 Million Restoration

Manhattan’s sole remaining lighthouse, affectionately known as the Little Red Lighthouse, is set to receive a $13 million restoration. The 146-year-old Jeffrey's Hook lighthouse, situated beneath the George Washington Bridge, will undergo a “once-in-a-generation” makeover aimed at returning it to its former condition, the Historic House Trust announced this month.

Giulietta Fiore, executive director of the Historic House Trust, stated, "This beloved landmark tells a uniquely New York story: one of purpose, reinvention, and the power of people to influence change." She added, "Relocated to the banks of the Hudson more than a century ago, the Little Red Lighthouse has become a symbol of our city’s history, imagination, and resilience. It is my hope that generations to come will look upon this little lighthouse, find their own meaning in its story, and see it standing tall amid an ever-changing city."

The city-owned structure will undergo a full restoration, including work on its prefabricated cast-iron components. The project also aims to improve visitor access, allowing people to enter the lighthouse and climb to the lantern room. Enhancements will include upgrades for accessibility, new safety features, and updated signage.

The restoration seeks to replicate the lighthouse's appearance when it was first brought to the Hudson River. The duration of the city-funded project is not yet specified. During the renovation period, the lighthouse will only be viewable through a virtual 3D experience.

As part of the initiative, the Trust is encouraging the public to share their memories of the landmark through its "Letters to the Lighthouse" campaign. NYC Parks Urban Park Ranger Director Bonnie McGuire commented, "The Little Red Lighthouse has inspired generations to look a little closer at the history and natural world around them. It is a place where the stories of the river, the city, and the park come together. We look forward to helping New Yorkers rediscover this remarkable landmark and all that surrounds it for years to come."

This extensive renovation marks the first significant upgrade for the lighthouse in decades. It received a new coat of paint in 2000, and a 1986 renovation included the reconstruction of its concrete foundation and the installation of new steel doors.

The lighthouse was originally erected in Sandy Hook in 1880. It guided ships with a fog signal and red light until 1917. The 40-foot-tall structure was moved and reconstructed on the banks of Fort Washington Park in 1921 to improve navigation on the Hudson River. Prior to its relocation, Jeffrey's Point was known for shipwrecks, with only basic candle-powered lanterns used for warnings.

![The cover of "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge."]( "The cover of "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge."")

The lighthouse's operational purpose diminished with the opening of the George Washington Bridge in 1931, whose lights rendered the lighthouse obsolete. Its story was later told in the 1942 book, "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge," which highlighted its continued importance. Officially decommissioned in 1948 and initially slated for demolition, a public campaign, partly fueled by the children's book, saved it. It has since stood as a national historic landmark, serving as a reminder of the area's history.