Montauk Point Light, at the eastern tip of Long Island, was the first lighthouse built in New York State and the first public works project of the new United States. Authorized in 1792 under President George Washington and shaped in part by Ezra L'Hommedieu, it entered service in 1797 to guide shipping bound for New York Harbor. Later enlargements and new fog and warning signals reflected changing navigational needs. The lighthouse also served a strategic military role during World War II. Over time, severe bluff erosion threatened the site, but sustained preservation efforts and major stabilization projects helped protect this nationally recognized landmark.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Montauk, New York · USA