Rock Island Light

Rock Island Light, in New York’s Thousand Islands on the Saint Lawrence River, began in 1848 as one of three federally approved lights guiding navigation through a busy channel. Rebuilt and relocated several times to improve visibility, it took its present off-island position in 1903 after earlier designs were obstructed by the keeper’s house and trees. The station preserves a notable collection of historic service buildings and is also linked to keeper William Johnston, once known as the Pirate of the Thousand Islands for burning the Sir Robert Peel in 1838 during the Patriot War. The light was retired in 1958 and later became a state park and museum.

Fishers Landing, New York · United States