MONTAUK POINT LIGHTHOUSE

Here we are at Montauk Point State Park located on the the south eastern tip of Long Island.  If you're a Long Islander you've seen the bumper sticker that says "The End" referring to this spot.  Although, I'm starting to see more and more bumper stickers referring to Montauk that say "The Beginning".  And that might just be a lot more accurate.

It is said that the pirate Captain Kidd buried treasure in the land near the foot of the lighthouse in 1699.  The lighthouse itself was authorized under George Washington in 1792 while he was President and construction was finished on November, 17, 1796.  It was the first lighthouse to be built in New York State.  It was instrumental in our World War II defense system and in 1942 the U.S. Army established it's Eastern Coastal Defense Shield here.  The observation bunkers can still be viewed at nearby  Shadmoor State Park.

Today Montauk Point Lighthouse is still functioning and it is a very busy tourist spot.  You can walk into the lighthouse and see Long Island towards the west for a great distance and the Atlantic Ocean from a glorious position in the sky.  The grounds are beautiful and the scenes spectacular.  There are paths to the beach, a snack bar overlooking the ocean, a gift shop and many opportunities for photography and fishing.

For information about it's hours of operation please click on this link:  Montauk Point Lighthouse.  For our pictures of the lighthouse, in and out, and the area surrounding it please see below...

Welcome!

A classic view of The Montauk Point Lighthouse

And a nice view of our main photographer for this visit to Montauk Point sitting on top of the park's bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, my husband, Sandy.

 And here we are going for an interior tour of the lighthouse.  Get your legs ready to climb 137 iron steps while winding around a narrow tower!

A close up of it's tower

As you can see the interior is all utilitarian.

Looking out at the Atlantic through one of it's portholes.  Imagine watching a hurricane or Nor'easter from up here!

The view from the observation deck looking southwest along the Atlantic coastline back towards New York City

Here I just wanted to give you a sense of the height....and maybe a little bit of vertigo, too.  :)  This is the view looking east over the Atlantic.

Here we are looking north past the North Fork of LI towards Connecticut.

Looking down at Old Glory

If you go even higher you are on eye level with the actual lamp itself.  Really not as imposing as one would think it would be.

And, all the lamps that have been used since the lighthouse was built are on display in the lighthouse museum building.

Back in the nineties Alice Connick lost her 22 year old son at sea.   She formed a committee to raise funds for this "Lost At Sea" bronze memorial standing 8' high upon a 7' high granite pedestal.  When the memorial was dedicated in 1999 it carried the names of at least 120 East End (of Long Island) fishermen who have been lost at sea, but sadly since time began surely hundreds more have been lost in just this part of the treacherous Atlantic Ocean.  

Now as we leave the lighthouse we'll head down the bluff towards the beach.

You'll see plenty of these guys overhead while you're here.

And, a lot of these as you descend the path to the beach, also, our wild rose the official New York State flower.

And a lot of these guys and gals, too, enthusiastic fishermen!

Montauk's beautiful Atlantic coastline

With the sound and sight of it's crashing waves and

glorious colors.

Looking back towards the lighthouse from the beach.

Nearing the path back up...

and taking one last look at the ocean surf.

Can't you just feel the spray?

Getting closer to the ridge once again we see the lighthouse.

And, of course we have to have a true "Montauk Daisy" sighting on the way up the path, too.

Or, maybe you're taking the path to the snack bar by now.  If so you can bet you'll be greeted by these guys who are always ready, willing and able to share that snack with you.  :) 

While you're eating you can gaze at this view below from your picnic table on the patio.

As the sun begins to set and you look back at the lighthouse on your way out of the park you know you've had a fun day.

 But, one time our photographer drove out just before Christmas and found the sun setting on this wonderful surprise

 Every year the lighthouse is decorated for the occasion, edged in lights with a big wreath hung on it.

A close up

As it got darker the sight became even more beautiful...

Until it was absolutely astounding.

Thank you for looking in.  I hope you've enjoyed the tour and that it will encourage you to take an enjoyable drive to the East End to see one of our famous pride and joys....even if you've been there many times before.