The Execution Rocks Lighthouse Station was established in 1849 and the tower was first lit upon completion in 1850. This is the original tower, built from granite and lined with brick. For the first 18 years of operation, the keepers and their families had to live inside the tower. In 1868 the attached 2 story stone keepers house was completed and they were finally able to move from the cramped tower. On December 8, 1918 a fire of unknown origin caused $13,500 in damages to the engine house and machinery, the exterior tower walls and windows, the oil house and the keepers house. This damage was repaired and a stone fog signal house was added in 1920. On December 5, 1979 the U.S. Coast Guard keepers were relieved and the station was automated. The Fourth Order Fresnel lens in operation since 1856 was replaced with a modern optic and the fog signal building was also removed.

Execution Rocks Lighthouse continues to be an active aid to navigation maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The keepers house has been boarded up for security and the towers' optic is now powered by solar panels. The light station is elligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and has been made available under the provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. The non-profit corporation Historically Significant Structures has applied for and will likely soon be awarded stewardship of the Execution Rocks Lighthouse. The white 60 foot tall lighthouse with a brown band daymark continues to give a white flash every 10 seconds to guide mariners through the western end of the Long Island Sound in New York.

May 2010 Issue, Lighthouse Gets $600,000 - With Strings By Bill Bleyer. "The nonprofit group restoring the historic Execution Rocks Lighthouse off Long Island has gotten a big boost from a $600,000 New York State grant...But there’s a significant catch. The state will reimburse the organization for 50 percent of what it spends, up to a total of $600,000. “We have to raise money to get the money. We have to present paid bills from contractors to the state to get the money.” Please go to the Lighthouse Digest Magazine Archives for the full article. Lighthouse Digest magazine not only keeps the history of our lighthouses alive both in print and on line, but it is the best single source to keep current on all aspects of lighthouse preservation, news and events.

The Execution Rocks Lighthouse is located about a mile offshore in the Long Island Sound and can only be veiwed closely by boat. A distant view can be had from Hudson Park in New Rochelle, NY.
Directions: From route US1 in New Rochelle, turn south/east onto Echo Avenue to the end. Bear right onto Sutton Manor Lane (southbound), continue straight onto Pelham Rd (southbound). Turn left at the first traffic signal onto Hudson Park Rd. Continue into park, Execution Rocks Lighthouse is visible to the South East.

The non-profit corporation Historically Significant Structures has aquired the lighthouse station and is in the process of restoring the Execution Rocks Lighthouse. They offer seasonal boat trips from Port Washington (Long Island) that include a tower climb. Overnight stays are also available in the restored 1867 Keeper's House. Please visit their web site to view scheduled trips, rental information and photos of the lightstation and PLEASE donate your support to the continued restoration and preservation of this historic American Lighthouse.

United States Coast Guard Historians' Official Web Site