Penfield Reef Lighthouse

History

Penfield Reef Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Connecticut, United States, on Penfield Reef at the south side of Black Rock Harbor entrance on the Long Island Sound, off the coast of Fairfield, Connecticut. Constructed in 1874, it was one of the last offshore masonry lights. Most offshore lights built after this were cast iron towers built on cylindrical cast iron foundations.

Penfield Reef has been called one of the most treacherous areas of western Long Island Sound. The structure is about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) off Fairfield Beach, on one end of the reef.

Penfield Reef is one of several lighthouses built in the Second Empire style, with a wood frame tower integrated into the keeper's dwelling. The lighthouse consists of a 1-1/2 story keeper's quarters with a mansard roof, with a wood frame tower built into the roof framing. The dwelling is built of granite ashlar with brick back up, and heavy timber framing. Iron flat plates are anchored into the granite at spaced intervals to reinforce the walls. The foundation system is a cylindrical granite block caisson with a concrete core, surrounded by ledge.

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