Old Field Point Lighthouse

Old Field Point Lighthouse stands on a bluff at the northern tip of Old Field, between the entrances to Port Jefferson Harbor and Stony Brook Harbor on the North Shore of Long Island. The historic lighthouse overlooks Long Island Sound and continues to serve as a navigational aid for boats traveling along the North Shore.

The lighthouse station was established in 1823, making Old Field Point one of the oldest lighthouse sites on Long Island. The present tower and attached keeper’s dwelling were completed in 1868, and the property is now owned and maintained by the Village of Old Field.

The First Old Field Point Lighthouse

Old Field Point was selected for a lighthouse because of its prominent position between Port Jefferson Harbor and Stony Brook Harbor. The point helped mark the northern shoreline and warned vessels about the shallow waters, rocks and changing conditions near the entrances to the two harbors.

Congress appropriated $2,500 for construction of the original lighthouse in 1823, followed by an additional $1,500 to complete the station. The first light was produced by nine whale-oil lamps magnified by a large reflector.

The Present Lighthouse

The current lighthouse was built in 1868 and first lit in 1869. It consists of an octagonal wooden tower rising from a granite lighthouse dwelling. The structure was designed according to a lighthouse style used at several other stations around Long Island Sound and the northeastern United States.

The original light was equipped with a fourth-order Fresnel lens. The tower was originally painted white with a black lantern, although its appearance and navigational equipment changed over the years. The lighthouse stands approximately 74 feet above sea level and historically had a range of about 14 nautical miles.

Keepers and Maritime Service

For more than a century, lighthouse keepers maintained the light, monitored weather and sea conditions, and assisted vessels traveling through the waters surrounding Old Field Point. The station was relatively isolated, and the keeper’s responsibilities included maintaining the grounds, caring for the lighting equipment and responding to boaters in distress.

Several women also served as keepers at Old Field Point during the nineteenth century. Elizabeth Smith served as head keeper for more than two decades after her husband’s death, and her daughter Mary Foster later continued the family’s connection to the station.

Automation and Reactivation

An automatic revolving light was installed in 1933, ending the need for a resident keeper and beginning a period during which the historic lighthouse itself was no longer continuously used as an active light station. The lighthouse was deactivated as a navigational light from 1933 until 1991.

A modern beacon was later installed, and the light was reactivated in 1991. The current automated light continues to mark Old Field Point, preserving the site’s navigational function while the historic lighthouse remains an important landmark.

Village Ownership and Preservation

The federal government transferred the lighthouse property to the Village of Old Field in 1935 for public-park purposes. The federal government temporarily reclaimed the property during World War II, when a small Coast Guard contingent occupied the station for national-defense purposes. After the war, the lighthouse was returned to the village.

The Village of Old Field remains responsible for preserving the lighthouse and its grounds. A nonprofit Lighthouse Foundation was established in 2018 to help raise money for restoration, capital improvements, operation and long-term maintenance of the historic structure.

Can the Public Visit Old Field Point Lighthouse?

Old Field Point is a village-owned landmark with scenic views of Long Island Sound and Connecticut. The Village of Old Field invites residents to explore the lighthouse grounds, although visitors should use caution near the bluffs and remain respectful of posted rules and any restricted areas.

The lighthouse building is not operated as a conventional museum with regular public tours. Visitors should verify current access information with the Village of Old Field before planning a visit. The lighthouse and surrounding point can also be viewed from the water and from nearby public areas along the North Shore.

Old Field Point and the North Shore

Old Field Point Lighthouse is part of a historic maritime landscape that includes Port Jefferson Harbor, Stony Brook Harbor, coastal bluffs, beaches and waterfront communities throughout Suffolk County. Its location provides views across Long Island Sound toward Connecticut and connects the lighthouse with the boating history of the North Shore.

The lighthouse can be explored in connection with nearby destinations in Brookhaven, Stony Brook and Port Jefferson. Together, these communities preserve many of the harbors, historic properties and coastal landscapes that define Long Island’s northern shoreline.

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Old Field Point Lighthouse

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Key Facts & Details

Feature	Details
Official name	Old Field Point Light
Common name	Old Field Point Lighthouse
Type	Historic lighthouse and active navigational aid
Location	Northern tip of Old Field, between Port Jefferson Harbor and Stony Brook Harbor
County	Suffolk County
Region	North Shore of Long Island
Waterway	Long Island Sound
Station established	1823
Original construction cost	$2,500, with an additional $1,500 appropriated for completion
Original light	Nine whale-oil lamps with a large reflector
Current lighthouse completed	1868
Current lighthouse first lit	1869
Construction materials	Wood tower on a granite lighthouse dwelling
Tower shape	Octagonal
Original lens	Fourth-order Fresnel lens
Historic tower height	Approximately 74 feet above sea level
Original range	Approximately 14 nautical miles
Automated	1933
Deactivated	1933–1991
Reactivated	1991
Current light	Modern automated beacon with alternating red and green flashes
Historic designation	Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024
Current owner	Village of Old Field
Public access	Village grounds may be accessible; lighthouse building is not operated as a regular public museum
Coordinates	40.977000, -73.118583
Official historical sources	U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office and the Village of Old Field
Long Island Lighthouses	How many lighthouses are on Long Island?

Old Field Point Lighthouse remains one of the most distinctive historic landmarks on Long Island’s North Shore. Established in 1823 and rebuilt in 1868, the lighthouse has guided vessels between Port Jefferson Harbor and Stony Brook Harbor while overlooking the broad waters of Long Island Sound. Although the lighthouse is not operated as a full-time public museum, its village ownership, scenic setting and continuing navigational role make it an important part of Old Field’s history. The preserved tower and surrounding point offer a lasting reminder of the keepers, mariners and coastal communities connected to this section of Suffolk County.