Thought to have been built in 1872, the origin is so iffy no one is sure who did it. But it became the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse when Welfare Island changed names in the 1960s.
By David Stone
The tower spent most of its life as the Blackwell Island Lighthouse. The real irony is that both future name changes came after it lost its job guiding ships through the perils of Hell Gate.
In all seasons, people so love it and its setting where channels of the East River part… or rejoin, depending on your point of view. Couples dangle their feet over the seawall while others cast fishing lines into the currents separating nearby.
Others pass in a familiar Roosevelt Island stroll.
On Sunday, January 10th, 2020, the historic site had plenty of company. The cold north wind of recent days subsided, and a bright sun pushed temperatures into the 40s.
- Neighborhood Notes: Weekly Changes and Community Moments Across Roosevelt Island and Beyond
- Queens Neighborhood Developments Through a Roosevelt Island Lens
- How Community Connections Shape Daily Life Between Roosevelt Island and Queens
- June on Roosevelt Island: Crowds, Celebration, and Quiet Moments
- A Week Rooted in Community: Daily Life and Neighbor Connections on Roosevelt Island
Before the Door Closed
The May 14 RIOC board meeting began with public concern over the steam plant and ended with two votes that revealed more than any report could. Some meetings announce themselves by what is said. This one announced itself by what the room permitted to move and what it stopped before it could breathe.
