Guilford in South Central Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Faulkner's Island

Photographed by Conrad Ward, circa March 12, 2024

1. Faulkner's Island Marker

Inscription.

Faulkner's Island. . , Faulkner's Island and its historic lighthouse have played an important role in the history of Long Island Sound. The crescent-shaped island contains no less than 3 acres and lies 3 1/2 miles south of the Guilford Harbor. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places., Native Americans called the island "Massancummock" (place of great fish hawks, probably osprey), Early Dutch explorers put it down on their charts as "Valken Eylandt"; English settlers translated this to "Falcon Island". Several generation of the island's private owners farmed the island, bringing oven out in a scow to help perform the spring plowing., Before the development of good highways and the railroad, Long Island Sound served as a protective corridor for large volumes of maritime traffic. Numerous shipwrecks on the treacherous shoals surrounding Faulkner's Island resulted in serious loss of cargo and human lives. In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the island as a government light station. One year later, the octagonal light was constructed. Its tapered walls are built of hammered brownstone and rise 80 feet above sea level., Courageous light keepers and their families lived on the island year-round. Captain Eli Kimberly sad Captain Oliver N. Brooks each served for over 30 years during the 19th century. Together with the other keepers of the light, they helped the American lighthouse earn its symbolism of reliability and integrity., In 1976, the lightkeepers Victorian dwelling was destroyed by fire, but the stone and cast-iron lighthouse survived. Shortly afterward, the light station was automated using solar power and is still an active aid to navigation maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, Group Long Island, New Haven, CT., In 1985 the Coast Guard transferred ownership of the island to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge. It is the site of the Northeast's largest breeding colonies for over 150 species of migratory birds. Visits to the Faulkner's Island Unit are arranged by permit in order to protect its natural and historic resources. For more information, contact the refuge manager of the Stewart B. McKinney NWR, P.O. Box 1030 Westbrook, CT 06498 ,

Faulkner's Island and its historic lighthouse have played an important role in the history of Long Island Sound. The crescent-shaped island contains no less than 3 acres and lies 3 1/2 miles south of the Guilford Harbor. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Native Americans called the island "Massancummock" (place of great fish hawks—probably osprey), Early Dutch explorers put it down on their charts as "Valken Eylandt"; English settlers translated this to "Falcon Island". Several generation of the island's private owners farmed the island, bringing oven out in a scow to help perform the spring plowing.

Before the development of good highways and the railroad, Long Island Sound served as a protective corridor for large volumes of maritime traffic. Numerous shipwrecks on the treacherous shoals surrounding Faulkner's Island resulted in serious loss of cargo and human lives. In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the island as a government light station. One year later, the octagonal light was constructed. Its tapered walls are built of hammered brownstone and rise 80 feet above sea level.

Courageous

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light keepers and their families lived on the island year-round. Captain Eli Kimberly sad Captain Oliver N. Brooks each served for over 30 years during the 19th century. Together with the other keepers of the light, they helped the American lighthouse earn its symbolism of reliability and integrity.

In 1976, the lightkeepers Victorian dwelling was destroyed by fire, but the stone and cast-iron lighthouse survived. Shortly afterward, the light station was automated using solar power and is still an active aid to navigation maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, Group Long Island, New Haven, CT.

In 1985 the Coast Guard transferred ownership of the island to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge. It is the site of the Northeast's largest breeding colonies for over 150 species of migratory birds. Visits to the Faulkner's Island Unit are arranged by permit in order to protect its natural and historic resources. For more information, contact the refuge manager of the Stewart B. McKinney NWR, P.O. Box 1030 Westbrook, CT 06498

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this

Photographed by Conrad Ward, circa March 12, 2024

2. Faulkner's Island Marker

topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1802.

Location. 41° 16.275′ N, 72° 39.91′ W. Marker is in Guilford in South Central Region, Connecticut. It can be reached from Farmers Wharf Road south of Whitfield Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Guilford CT 06437, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley,

on the Connecticut Shoreline,

and in Greater New Haven.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

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 Haven County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tribute to Freedom (here, next to this marker); Len Hubbard Municipal Marina (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Little Red Shack of Grass Island

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(about 300 feet away); Beecher House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The State Street School House (approx. ¼ mile away); Jacobs Beach (approx. 0.3 miles away); Harmon B. Johnson (approx. half a mile away); Railroads in Guilford (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guilford.

Also see . . .
1. Faulkner Island Light (Wikipedia). (Submitted on May 27, 2024, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut.)
2. Faulkner Island (Wikipedia). (Submitted on May 27, 2024, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2024, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2024, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.