Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse
Introduction
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Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse is such an iconic Connecticut landmark that is depicted on "Preserve the Sound" state license plates. Still an active navigation aid, it stands on a breakwater that extends out into Long Island Sound. It serves as the outer light to the harbor, working in conjunction with the Lynde Point Light, which is located a mile and a half to the north, to guide vessels in and out of the Connecticut River. Saybrook Light is 48 feet tall and it resembles a sparkplug. It was built in 1886 out of prefabricated cast-iron, which was necessary so that it could withstand harsh winter weather, particularly ice floes. Despite its size, keeper's quarters are located inside. Although the light is automated and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, the lighthouse is privately owned as part of an affluent residential property.
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Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Keepers lived in the lighthouse until it was automated in 1959. After that, U.S. Coast Guard members occupied it during bad weather (it is not clear how long they did this). It was sold to a private owner in 2013 and sold again in 2004 to its current owner, developer Frank Sciame, who bought a house owned by actress Katherine Hepburn. He admired the lighthouse from the house for years before deciding to buy it at auction. In 2017, he revealed plans to convert the lighthouse into a clubhouse for his grandchildren.
Sources
"Saybrook Breakwater (Saybrook Outer) Lighthouse." Lighthousefriends.com. Accessed March 11, 2019. http://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=797.
Templeton, Dorothy B. "Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. May 29, 1990. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/06ed7dd0-99a9-458f-a6bb-eaae777707dc.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saybrook_Breakwater_Light#/media/File:Saybrook_breakwater_light.jpg