Dunkirk Lighthouse
The Dunkirk Lighthouse, also known as the Point Gratiot Light, is an active lighthouse located at Point Gratiot on Lake Erie in New York state.
The lighthouse was established in 1826 and the current tower was first lit in 1875. The lighthouse was automated in 1960 and is still operational. The foundation is made out of dressed stone and the lighthouse is made out of rubblestone encased in brick. The tower is square-shaped with the upper two thirds in white and the lower third left natural and the lantern housing in red. The original lens is a third order Fresnel lens installed in 1857 in the original 1826 light and is still in operation. Its being still in use makes it a rarity. Only 70 such lenses are operational in the United States, 16 being on the Great Lakes of which two are in New York. At the entrance to the park property is the South Buffalo North Side Light, formerly located in Buffalo Harbor. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Point Gratiot Lighthouse Complex in 1979.
The Dunkirk Lighthouse is open seasonally from May through October. The hours are 10:00am to 2:00pm in the spring and fall, and 10:00am to 4:00pm in the summer. Guided tours include a climb to the top of the lighthouse, a tour of the keeper’s house, Veteran museums and gift shop.
All four rooms of the second floor of the original keeper’s house are part of the veteran’s museum. There is one room devoted to each of the branches of the armed forces, with an additional building housing artifacts from the Coast Guard. Additionally, the hallway contains an exhibit on the Vietnam War. Almost all artifacts contained in the museum are donated by local residents or by the United States Coast Guard, due to their association with the lighthouse.
The grounds contain many maritime items which can be of interest or clutter your images.
Where it is:
Located Off of Route 5, to Point Drive North, Dunkirk, New York
From Interstate 90 south of Dunkirk, take Exit 59 and proceed to Highway 60 then go north on Highway 60 for 2.1 miles to Highway 5. Turn left onto Highway 5 and drive 1.1 miles to Point Drive. Turn right onto Point Drive and follow it 0.6 miles to the lighthouse which will be on your right.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
Cost:
Tours – Includes: A climb of the Lighthouse’s spiral stairs to the upper observation level, a walk through the restored 1800 lighthouse keepers home, experience the Museums – see and discover the many Lake Erie nautical displays and US Veterans displays. Then top it off with a tour of the lighthouse grounds. You will be escorted by a lighthouse staff member.
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Adults $10 ea.
Seniors, Students & Veterans $8 ea.
Children 4 yrs to 10 yrs $3 ea
Family Includes 2 adults and up to 3 children from 4 yrs to 10 yrs.- $25
Hours:
Facilities:
There are restrooms and a gift shop at the lighthouse.
Location Contact Information:
| Phone / Office | 716-366-5050 |
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| Mailing Address: | Dunkirk Lighthouse & Veterans Park Museum |
| PO Box 69 – 1 Lighthouse Point Drive | |
| Dunkirk, NY 14048 | |
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| Information: | dunkirklighthouse@gmail.com |
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| Office Manager: | Barbara A. Lawson LST551@juno.com |
| Events Coordinator | Dave Briska dave53@netsync.net |
| 716 679 0647 |
Dunkirk Lighthouse Photo Gallery
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More Photographic Destinations in New York
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
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