Rock Island Lighthouse

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About The Site

Rock Island sketch

The first Rock Island Lighthouse was built in 1847. The light was built to mark one of the many hazards facing vessels sailing up and down the Saint Lawrence River. Keeper Bill Johnston, who came to Rock Island in 1852, was famous for being one of several Americans and Canadians who unsuccessfully tried to take Fort Wellington from the British in the four-day Patriot War of 1838.

In 1882, the current 40-foot tower, equipped with a sixth-order Fresnel lens, replaced the old structure. The original tower was built in the center of the island, and could be difficult to see. The loss of two ships on a nearby shoal spurred the construction of the new tower. The lantern room of the original tower was used on the new tower.

Rock Island is one of a small number of lighthouses which retains all of its original structures. The smokehouse was built in 1847. The Keeper's house dates to 1882. The generator house was built in 1900, and the boathouse in 1920.

The current structure was built on a concrete foundation the end of a pier on the south side of the island. The light remained in service until 1958. Today, the island and lighthouse complex are a state park. A local citizen's group has raised money and assists in preserving the island and the lighthouse.

References (see links)

Seaway Trail Lighthouses (2nd Edition), Tinney, Burdette-Watkins, p. 41
Lighthouses of the Seaway Trail (video)
A Traveler's Guide to 100 Eastern Great Lakes Lighthouses, Penrose, p. 55

Select an image to enlarge

Generator House and Tower

From the Island

Keeper's House and Boat House

Tower and Generator House

Carpenter Shop, Dock and Tower

Directions: The lighthouse is only accessible by boat. Tour boats from Clayton, NY often pass the island. Although there is no public transportation, the island is maintained as a park by the New York Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and is open to the public. There is minimal docking. There is a picnic area on the island. Call (315) 654-2522 for details. The lighthouse can be viewed from Fishers Landing - turn north off Route 12, and go northwest along the river. The lighthouse can be seen at some spots along the road. The lighthouse can also be seen along the road to Thousand Island Park on Wellesley Island, and from several tour boats which pass nearby Clayton, NY.

We chartered a boat for these photos. We highly recommend Long Legg Charters. (see the links page for more information) (September 2006)