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The Lynde Point Lighthouse was the 4th and last lighthouse where John N. Buckridge was stationed. He was appointed keeper on June 26, 1883. The Lynde Point Lighthouse was built in 1802 when the U.S. government purchased land from William Lynde for $225; a 35-foot wooden tower was erected the following year by New London carpenter Abisha Woodward. Not long after, there were complaints that it was too short and too dimly lit, and in 1838 a new 65-foot brownstone lighthouse, that remains to this day, was constructed. Over the years, improvements and additions enhanced its operation, including new lenses and in 1854 a fog bell. It is shown here with an early fog bell tower. It might also be noted that the keeper just before this time was one of the few women keepers, Catherine (Sykes) Whittlesey, who replaced her husband Daniel who died in 1841. When the Saybrook Breakwater Light was constructed in 1886, Lynde Point became known as the Inner Light, but it is often called the Saybrook Inner Light, and the Breakwater Light became known as the Outer Light and is often referred to as the Saybrook Outer Light, and as the Old Saybrook Breakwater Light. The Outer Light is on a Connecticut license plate to draw attention to preserving Long Island Sound. (Lighthouse Digest archives.)
Back to the edition of: Sep/Oct 2014
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