Shelburne in Chittenden County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

Lighthouse

1871 • Colchester Point, Lake Champlain, Vermont

— Moved to Museum: 1952 —

Lighthouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 8, 2017

1. Lighthouse Marker

Inscription. The Lighthouse was located a mile off Colchester Point in Lake Champlain, marking the location of three reefs: Colchester Reef, Colchester Shoals, and Hogback Reef. The building was designed in 1869 by Albert Dow, a Burlington, Vermont, resident, who submitted his plan in a contest organized by the United States Lighthouse Service. A series of eleven keepers and their families lived and worked in the lighthouse until 1933, when the beacon light was automated, eliminating the need for resident keepers.

The second floor exhibits lighthouse history, ship models, and a whimsical look at the legend of Champ, the Lake Champlain Sea Monster.

Rest and recharge at the Lighthouse Lounge on the first floor of the building.

Erected by the Shelburne Museum.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 44° 22.509′ N, 73° 13.891′ W. Marker is in Shelburne, Vermont, in Chittenden County. It can be reached from

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Shelburne Road. Marker and building are on the Shelburne Museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6000 Shelburne Road (US Hwy 7), Shelburne VT 05482, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Champlain Valley

and in Greater Burlington.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Preservation of the Colchester Reef Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Colchester Reef Lighthouse Relocation (a few steps from this marker); Colchester Reef Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Diamond Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Ticonderoga (within shouting distance of this marker); Ticonderoga (within shouting distance of this marker); Electra Havemeyer Webb Memorial Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Owl Cottage Activity Center (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shelburne.

Also see . . .
1. History of Colchester Reef Light, Shelburne, Vermont.

Lighthouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 8, 2017

2. Lighthouse and Marker

(Submitted on October 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Colchester Reef Lighthouse. (Submitted on October 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. The Shelburne Museum Story. (Submitted on October 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Additional keywords. legends and lore

Colchester Point Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 8, 2017

3. Colchester Point Lighthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 471 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.