Orchard Shoal Light Station, Old
Also known as: Old Orchard Shoal Light
Why it's listed
Old Orchard Shoal Light Station is an isolated offshore lighthouse in Lower New York Bay, about 3.5 miles south of New Dorp Beach on Staten Island. Completed and first lighted on 25 April 1893, it marks the southeast end of Old Orchard Shoal, a navigation hazard beside what was once the main shipping lane. A cylindrical cast iron caisson filled with concrete supports a 35-foot, three-story, conical cast iron tower topped by a watch room and octagonal lantern. Riprap and a breakwater shelter a small boat basin, and access is only by boat. The metal parts were made by the Variety Iron Works Company of Cleveland and assembled on site, with a diver helping to sink the caisson. The original fourth order Fresnel lens has been replaced by a modern acrylic optic, and the light was automated in 1951. It remains an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. Its significance rests on maritime transportation, architecture and engineering between 1893 and 1955.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites the light station under Maritime History, Transportation, Architecture and Engineering. It marked the southeast end of Old Orchard Shoal, a hazard along the pre-twentieth century main shipping lane. Its caisson foundation and cast iron tower reflect the U.S. Lighthouse Board's design and construction methods.
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 06000864, listed September 20, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | In Lower New York Bay, 3.5 mi. S of New Dorp Beach, Staten Island |
|---|---|
| County | Staten Island |
| Listed | September 20, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000864 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1893 to 1955 |
| Architect / builder | U.S. Lighthouse Board |
| Architectural style | No Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Maritime History, Transportation, Architecture, Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Operated by the U.S. Coast Guard as an automated aid to navigation (automated 1951); the interior is deteriorated, with wooden elements removed and guano present. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.51233, -74.09851 (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.
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 06000864.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q983738
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.