Dunkirk Light
Why it's listed
Dunkirk Light is a lighthouse on Point Gratiot, about 2,000 feet west of the entrance to Dunkirk Harbor on Lake Erie. A light was first established there in 1837 and worked with a pierhead beacon to guide vessels into a harbor that served as a refuge for boats traveling between Buffalo and Erie. After the first tower was reported in precarious condition in 1874, construction of the present lighthouse began in June 1875. The square stone tower, 61 feet 3 inches tall, was finished in 1876 and first exhibited its 3rd-order fixed white light on July 1 of that year. A cast-iron spiral stair leads to a ten-sided lantern. A covered passage links the tower to a two-story, eight-room red brick keeper's dwelling in the Stick Style. A square iron oil house and a barn also stand on the site. The light is now automated and still shines through its original Fresnel lens.
Significance in brief: The form states that the lighthouse played an important role in the development of transportation on Lake Erie. It guided ships to Dunkirk Harbor, which historically served as a refuge for boats travelling between Buffalo and Erie. The tower still retains its original 3rd-order Fresnel lens.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84002067, listed July 19, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Dunkirk Harbor, Dunkirk |
|---|---|
| County | Chautauqua County |
| Listed | July 19, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002067 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Stick Style (keeper's dwelling) |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Automated light still in use as a coast and harbor light; condition rated good, with interior, exterior and environs intact. Keeper's house partially remodeled for Coast Guard Auxiliary and ham radio club use. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 42.49392, -79.35382 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84002067.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.