Valcour Island Lighthouse
Also known as: Bluff Point Lighthouse
Why it's listed
Perched on Bluff Point on the western shore of Valcour Island, this lighthouse was built between 1871 and 1874 to guide shipping on Lake Champlain. It is a square, two-story building of dark blue limestone topped by a cedar-shingled mansard roof, with a light tower rising from the west side. Inside, the original floor plan, built-in cupboards, wainscoting and plank floors survive. The station was established as commerce on the lake grew after the Civil War, driven by shipments of iron ore, lumber and other goods, and as local politicians pressed for better beacons. Its Second Empire design reflects a period when a central lighthouse board promoted stylish, coordinated designs. The light was visible for 13 miles. An automated steel tower replaced it in 1929, and it was sold in 1931. New York State bought it in 1986. It is listed for its maritime history and its architecture, and for its unusually intact condition.
Significance in brief: It is significant under Criterion A for its link to maritime transportation and the post-Civil War growth of commercial traffic on Lake Champlain. Under Criterion C it illustrates the national trend of stylish, centrally planned lighthouse design in the 1860s and 1870s. It retains very high exterior and interior integrity and is the last decommissioned navigational aid on Lake Champlain in the public domain.
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 93000873, listed August 26, 1993. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Valcour Island, Lake Champlain, Peru |
|---|---|
| County | Clinton County |
| Listed | August 26, 1993 |
| Reference number | 93000873 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1874 - 1929 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian/Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Decommissioned after a steel tower with an automated light replaced it in 1929; sold into private hands in 1931 and purchased by New York State (NYS/DEC) in 1986, with a conservation easement held by the Clinton County Historical Association. Current function listed as vacant/not in use. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 44.62349, -73.43149 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 93000873.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4930662
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.