St. George on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
U.S. Lighthouse Service General Depot
Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 30, 2024
1. U.S. Lighthouse Service General Depot wayside
ESTABLISHED IN 1863
Yor are standing on the site of the U.S. Lighthouse Service (U.S.L.H.S.) General Depot, established in 1863 to consolidate service and to supply to light stations nationwide.
Prior to the establishment of the General Depot, the country was divided into regional districts, each with at least one supply depot. That system resulted in duplication of storage, workforce and supplies. A central location was needed that had convenient docking for large supply ships, room for expansion and construction, safe storage for flammable lamp fuel, and space for the development of new technology.
PROVIDING SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT TO EVERY LIGHTHOUSE IN THE NATION
The General Depot provided every lighthouse in the nation with all the necessary supplies and equipment including buoys and bells seen here awaiting shipment. Once a lively and bustling site of 18 buildings, today only 6 remain on this site, including:
Oil Vaults
Barracks Building 6
Administration Building 7
Original Lamp Shop Building 8
1907 Lamp Shop Building 10
Foundry/Machine Shop Building 11
All of these buildings were constructed between 1863 and 1918.
Erected by National Lighthouse Museum.
Topics and series. This historical
this page online
Location. 40° 38.518′ N, 74° 4.442′ W. Marker is on Staten Island, New York, in Richmond County. It is in St. George. It is on an unnamed street east of Bay Street, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: National Lighthouse Museum Staten Island, Staten Island NY 10301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named U.S. Lighthouse Service General Depot (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named U.S. Lighthouse Service General Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named U.S. Lighthouse Service General Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named U.S. Lighthouse Service General Depot (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); HRH The Princess Royal Visit (about 500 feet away); Memorial to Clarence T. Barrett
Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 30, 2024
2. U.S. Lighthouse Service General Depot wayside site
Right, on the construction fencing on the way to main street.
Other markers no longer nearby. National Lighthouse Museum (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Barracks (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Administration Building (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The 1907 Lamp Shop (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Maritime New York (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . National Lighthouse Museum (New York City). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 27, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
via National Archives, 1912
3. Wayside inset - "View of the Depot in 1912"
The wayside would be in the vicinity of the buildings on the left. Building 6 and the entry road are visible; all else is gone.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, November 15, 2024
4. Buildings 6, 7, and 8 along the entry road
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 27, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
