As photos by historian Judith Berdy show, the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse restoration is nearly completed. The heavy equipment is gone, and the glass and top platform are in place. With the construction fencing now gone, too, visitors can again enjoy the full park experience.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
The Roosevelt Island Lighthouse
The old Blackwell Island Lighthouse, now known as Roosevelt Island Lighthouse, has also been known as Welfare Island Lighthouse.
It is a stone lighthouse built by the city of New York in 1872 and is located on the northern point of the Island where the East River meets the Harlem River and tides from Long Island Sound. Those powerful conflicts led to its being named Hell Gate.
It was designated a New York City Landmark on March 23, 1976, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 16, 1980.
In 1872, the City of New York erected a lighthouse. James Renwick Jr., the supervising architect, designed several other structures on the island for the Charities and Correction Board as well as more renowned works such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
With the facts lost in history, legends are what we have…
The construction of the lighthouse has been the subject of many stories. The various stories are linked to two names, John McCarthy and Thomas Maxey. According to the warden of a mental institution’s report from 1870, an industrious patient had built a seawall on land that had been reclaimed near the Asylum.
A prison inmate, according to legend, constructed a fort to defend the island against a British invasion that he believed was coming. Some versions say that he had added a Civil War cannon.
The legend goes on to state that the builder was bribed with counterfeit money to tear down the fort for the lighthouse’s construction. According to other accounts, an Asylum inmate built the lighthouse.
Until about 1940, the lighthouse remained in service. Earlier restorations in the 1970s and in 1998 preserved the structure. But the current restoration aims at the authenticity of its original appearance. Judge for yourself in this video of Roosevelt Island, north to south, shot by Thomas Edison in 1903.
Looking Ahead
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), responsible for the lighthouse and its restoration has not announced a ribbon-cutting, but it’s expected soon.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- Queens News and Community Updates Affecting Roosevelt Island ResidentsFor Roosevelt Island residents, Queens news and community updates are both close and relevant. From local incidents to new openings and street safety, see how city events shape our days.
- How Roosevelt Island Reflects New York’s Big Moments This WeekThis week, see how Roosevelt Island reflects New York’s big moments, from citywide sports wins and parades to local voting and youth programs.
- How Roosevelt Island Reflects a City on the MoveDiscover how Roosevelt Island reflects a city on the move, capturing the currents of New York through neighborhood routines, sports celebrations, and community moments.
- Keeping Steady Through City Currents: How Roosevelt Island Residents Stay ConnectedNew York’s shifting news often impacts daily routines on the island. Discover how Roosevelt Island residents stay connected through city changes and local events.
- Neighborhood Notes: Weekly Changes and Community Moments Across Roosevelt Island and BeyondNeighborhood notes on weekly changes and community moments across Roosevelt Island and neighboring areas, including emergency response, community events, new developments, and local reflections.
The Other End of the Leash
The first thing winter reveals when it loosens its grip is not green grass. It is honesty.
Yes, for almost a year now.