The 1833 Buffalo Lighthouse

Buffalo’s oldest building still standing on its original site, this lighthouse was built in 1832 and 1833. Its oldest portion is the 44-foot tapering octagonal tower. The original lantern room was removed in 1857, and the stone casement window section and metal upper portions were added to raise the light and make room for a fog bell. Nicknamed the "old Stone Light" in the 19th century and "Chinaman’s Light" early this century, the tower originally used whale-oil lamps and polished reflectors. Kerosene lamps and a fresnel lens were in use early this century. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1914, and the breakwater light station became the main beacon for the expanded harbor. A classic fresnel lens was installed, and the lighthouse was re-lit to help open the first Buffalo-Fort Erie Friendship Festival in 1987.

Buffalo, New York · United States