Pleasant Plains on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Welcome to Mount Loretto Unique Area
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 29, 2022
1. Welcome to Mount Loretto Unique Area Marker
This 200-acre property has five different wildlife habitat zones: marine/coastal, grassland, forest, and both tidal and freshwater wetlands. It was purchased with help from the Trust for Public Land and the Archdiocese of New York in 2000. In 2006, it was expanded with the purchase of Butler Manor woods, a roughly 18-acre wetland.
John Cardinal O'Connor Lighthouse
The lighthouse and attached keeper's cottage was constructed in the 1860s on the highest point of Staten Island's southern shore. Originally called Prince's Bay Lighthouse, it was renamed in memory of late Archbishop John Cardinal O'Connor in November, 2007. It is a fitting tribute to the church leader who summered at the lighthouse and served, from 1952-1979, as the U.S. Navy's chief of chaplains.
Currently, a local forest ranger is stationed at the lighthouse and serves as additional protection to this valuable property.
Erected by New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 2007.
Location. 40°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Elizabeth’s (approx. 0.2 miles away); Easter Rising Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Bells of the Church of Saints Joachim and Ann (approx. 0.2 miles away); Father John C. Drumgoole (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Church of Saint Joachim – Saint Ann (approx. ¼ mile away); CYO Memorial Tree (approx. ¼ mile away); John Cardinal O'Connor Lighthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Mount Loretto Bluffs (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.
![Welcome to Mount Loretto Unique Area Marker [Reverse] image. Click for full size.](Photos6/686/Photo686535.jpg?1031202293300AM "Welcome to Mount Loretto Unique Area Marker [Reverse]. Click for full size.")
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 29, 2022
2. Welcome to Mount Loretto Unique Area Marker [Reverse]
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 29, 2022
3. Welcome to Mount Loretto Unique Area Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
