Construction of the Burlington Breakwater began in 1837, and as the harbor grew, so did the breakwater. In 1857, the first wooden lighthouses were placed at either end, marking approaches to the harbor. The south light was knocked over by wind, and the north burned. Both were replaced, and lit for the last time in 1938. For a while, there was actually a keeper's house on the breakwater itself, but it was rarely used.
In 1999, at the request of the City of Burlington, Senator Patrick Leahy secured sufficient funds not only to stabilize the deteriorating breakwater, but to reconstruct the lighthouses at either end. The new lighthouses were activated on September 12, 2004.
Photos and coordinates taken from Battery Park.
Bing Bird's Eye View