island light known lighthouse connecticut united_states harbor lighthouse constructed commissioned president lighthouse keeper houses original house rebuilt keeper house survived destroyed fire repaired automated lighthouse years later volunteer group undertaken restoration preservation lighthouse completing major restoration work march access light restricted nesting season august yearly second oldest extant lighthouse connecticut listed national_register_of_historic_places crescent shaped island located half miles offshore connecticut island owners including purchased island remained stone family sold distant relative sold island government historian notes government likely openly communicating island united_states congress appropriated march lighthouse prior government acquisition property construction commissioned president constructed completed built new london harbor light island lighthouse cost build according united_states government octagonal tower lined brick originally spiral wooden staircase led outside room staircase unusual distinguishing characteristic original fixed light lamps stacked tables replaced cost lamps sixteen inch cast iron spiral staircase installed major renovation originally keeper house rooms deteriorated rebuilt rebuilt half stories high kitchen dining sitting rooms construction quality poor allowing snow enter house winter gaps walls roof rebuilt united_states_coast_guard story house remained destroyed fire march fire adjacent lighthouse spring edition keeper house said story house rooms service war british forces landed island told keeper wife fear long kept light burning later keeper light order new london customs inspector british threatened blow lighthouse stone got order lighthouse light upgraded lamps fourth order lens light new characteristic fixed light flash seconds lighthouse repaired fire automated modern replaced lens lighthouse currently uses lens lighthouse switched solar power light characteristic flash white light seconds continues operate navigational aid nearby island light chosen fog signal experiments chairman set bells tested distances heard steam fog whistle installed cost air installed powered horsepower engines experiment sound penetration trumpet installed restoration fire caused additional damage resulted windows steel door installed restoration preservation light volunteer formed selected perform restoration lighthouse completed included painting interior exterior replacing door new entry deck wood lighthouse threatened erosion decades 1930s response erosion constructed protect boat landing area assisted task obtaining funding million erosion control project funds approved help connecticut senators construction stone wall creation zone completed second phase project calls protective south island foot cast iron spiral staircase repaired restored cost work uncovered preserved numbering stairs october major restoration project tower installed steel doors restored original repaired window west wall lighthouse work completed march suspended poor weather december total cost importance second oldest extant lighthouse connecticut listed national_register_of_historic_places town proclaimed september island light day honor birthday lighthouse home world largest breeding colonies endangered nesting season august access light restricted nesting season
Falkner Island Light