Washington Heights in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Light Still Shines
Only ten years after Jeffreys Hook Light was assembled here, the George Washington Bridge was built overhead. Under the bridges bright lights, the lighthouse became obsolete for the second time. In 1947, the Coast Guard decommissioned the lighthouse and its light was extinguished.
In 1951, the Coast Guard proposed to dismantle the lighthouse, but the public protested with an outpouring of letters to officials, largely because the lighthouse was a beloved character in the 1942 childrens book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge, written by Hildegarde H. Swift and illustrated by Lynd Ward. The campaign to save the lighthouse was successful and on July 23, 1951 it came under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. In the book, the Little Red Lighthouse feels dwarfed by the George Washington Bridge. He feels unneeded and unwanted until one particularly foggy night when the Bridge calls to him, Little brother, where is your light? The Lighthouse wonders, Am I brother of yours bridge? Your light was so bright that I thought mine was needed no more. The Bridge replied,
this page online
Today everybody knows the Jeffreys Hook Light as The Little Red Lighthouse, and its light shines on. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a New York City Landmark. The Little Red Lighthouse is owned by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and is a member of the Historic House Trust of New York City. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit historichousetrust.org/house/little-red-lighthouse.
Erected by NYC Parks; Historic House Trust; Riverside Park Conservancy.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 23, 1951.
Location. 40° 50.984′ N, 73° 56.791′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Washington Heights. It is on Hudson River Greenway south of George Washington Bridge (U.S.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Story of a Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Little Red Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Little Red Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); American Redoubt (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Building the Bridge (approx. Ό mile away); Opening Celebration (approx. Ό mile away); A Marvel of Engineering (approx. Ό mile away); The Winning Plan (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for
Other markers no longer nearby. The Light Still Shines (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Little Red Lighthouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker, which had a slightly different inscription.
Additional keywords. children's literature
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
