New London Ledge Lighthouse, built in 1909, is one of the most unusual early twentieth century lighthouses built in the northeastern U.S.  It’s said it was built in its striking French Second Empire style to be in keeping with the elegance of the beautiful homes on shore in Groton and New London, on each side of the Thames River.

The lighthouse is now owned by the New London Maritime Society, and the society is offering “fun-sized” six-person tours to the lighthouse through September 30. Trips meet at the Custom House Maritime Museum, 150 Bank Street, New London, CT, for a 10-minute orientation before going to the boat.

Landing at the lighthouse demands a little physical dexterity. “You don’t have to be a Ninja,” according to the society’s website, “but you will have to balance on the edge of a boat and step up to reach the platform.”

Click here to learn more and to buy tickets.

Click here for a story on the WTNH website.

*   *   *   *   *   *

U.S. Lighthouse Society News is produced by the U.S. Lighthouse Society to support lighthouse preservation, history, education and research. You can receive these posts via email if you click on the “SUBSCRIBE” button in the right-hand column. Please support this electronic newsletter by joining the U.S. Lighthouse Society if you are not already a member.

If you have items of interest to the lighthouse community and its supporters, please email them to Jeremy at nelights@gmail.com.

Candace Clifford

Candace was the US Lighthouse Society historian from 2016 until she passed away in August 2018.  For 30 years, her work involved lighthouse history.  She worked with the National Park Service and the Council of American Maritime Museums. She was a noted author and was considered the most knowledgable person on lighthouse information at the National Archives.  Books by Candace Clifford include: Women who Kept the Lights: a History of Thirty-eight Female Lighthouse Keepers ,  Mind the Light Katie, and Maine Lighthouses, Documentation of their Past.