Sodus Point in Wayne County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Site of 1825 Keeper's Dwelling House
Inscription.
On May 26, 1824 an act of Congress approved appropriation of $4,500 to construct a light tower and keeper's house at Sodus Bay. On November 20, 1824 three acres of land were purchased from William Wickham for the sum of $68.75 and construction began. In 1825 both structures were completed and the light was placed in operation.
Both structures were built of limestone and mortar. The dwelling house measured 34 by 20 feet and was divided into two rooms, each with a fireplace. The walls were 20 inches thick and there was a 12 by 14 foot scullery at the south end of the building. The light tower was 40 feet high with a 22 foot diameter at its base and 10½ foot diameter at its top. The wall was 3½ feet thick at the bottom.
An inspection of both structures in 1868 and again in 1869 determined that they were in poor condition and not worthy of repair. Consequently, at the July 15, 1870 session of Congress, $14,000 was appropriated to build the present lighthouse. When that was completed in 1871, the two original structures were torn down and the stone used to build a jetty out into the lake in hope that it would stop erosion. The four piles of stone you see here were brought up from the shore and were part of the original keeper's dwelling house. The beacon, located near the bank of the shore, was the sight of the light tower.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 26, 1824.
Location. 43° 16.406′ N, 76° 59.158′ W. Marker is in Sodus Point, New York, in Wayne County. It is at the intersection of North Ontario Street and Lake Street on North Ontario Street. Marker is on the south lawn of the lighthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7606 North Ontario Street, Sodus NY 14551, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, in the Finger Lakes, and in the Rochester Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, on the Great Lakes, and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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 the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sodus Point War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Big Sodus Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Sodus Point Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Original Sodus Bay Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); British Raids (within shouting distance of this marker); Sodus Point (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sodus Point World War I Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Underground Railroad In Sodus Point Mural (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sodus Point.
Also see . . . Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum. (Submitted on December 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 560 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on December 13, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 12, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.



