The Little Red Lighthouse
And the Power of Art

City-Kid Review:

There’s a little hole and you have to crawl through it.
It’s perfect for me but not for mommy.
She had to bend down.
(I did, it’s true)

Ah, the Little Red Lighthouse. We all love the famous Little Red Lighthouse.

And, as a writer, I love it even more, now knowing the power of a children’s book saved the Little Red Lighthouse from being broken up into scrap metal. 

It’s true.

The Little Red Lighthouse is not the official name of the lighthouse, although it all but is. The lighthouse was originally, prosaically, called Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse named after the man who formerly owned the hook of land on which the little lighthouse stands. It is the only lighthouse in Manhattan and once had an important duty. The Hudson River gets very shallow and rocky just by the lighthouse, so sailboats have to sail on the far side of the river, else run aground. It was moved from Sandy Hook in 1921 (you can read more about the beaches at Sandy Hook, here) and in 1931 the George Washington Bridge was built.

In 1942, the Hildegarde H Swift & Lynd Ward’s beautiful children’s book, The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge was published, gaining massive popularity all around the world. According to the ranger who told us the story, the lighthouse was all set to be taken down. no longer being useful as the Bridge lit up that entire stretch of water. Heartbroken children from all over America and the world wrote letters to the Coastguard pleading for them not to dismantle it for scrap metal. The children saved the day and the Coastguard put the lighthouse into the care of the New York City Park’s department, in 1951.

The Little Red Lighthouse is worth a visit any time of the year, especially for fans of the book. These days it is a wonderful folly, still lighting up the night. It is a great introduction to many topics, from history to maritime studies to geology. You can, also, clamber over the rocks to the Hudson, picnic at it laps near (or over) your feet and gaze at the unique New York skyline.

Three times a year the NYC Parks Department opens The Little Red Lighthouse to the public. You can listen to a story about the origins of the lighthouse, then walk up inside the tower to the viewing platform at the top. You first climb a spiral staircase with round portholes looking out over the river. The viewing platform is reached by climbing a metal ladder, which brings you to the lighthouse light, inside the glass. You crawl through (or bend double to get through) a small opening to reach the wraparound platform outside. The views are tremendous and it is well worth a visit.

Look out for the Little Red Lighthouse Festival, in the fall.

Need to Knows:

Location: The Little Red Lighthouse is in Fort Washington Park. Best access is via West 181st street. Keep walking west along 181st street, down towards the river. When you come to the freeway (you are above it), turn right. You’ll see a footbridge on your left. Cross over the footbridge, follow the path along the other side of the highway and as it spirals down to the right. Keep walking down towards the river, under another bridge and alongside the river. The bottom of the footpath opens up into Fort Washington Park and the lighthouse is on your right. The M4 seems to be the closest bus.

Cost: Free

You can see the lighthouse whenever the park is open, but the lighthouse itself is only open three times a year – during the summer. in September at the Lighthouse festival and in October. The dates change so you need to check regularly with the parks department, or sign up for City Kid Adventure emails and I’ll let you know when I do.

There are no food facilities immediately near the lighthouse and I have not seen any bathrooms there, but there may be some bathrooms further into the park.

You can read more about the Little Red Lighthouse here.

Top-Tip

If you go in the summer, you can pick raspberries on the way there. I posted about them, here.

Take a packed lunch, sit on the rocks and eat while you enjoy the view.

There are restaurants on the way down to the park, on 181st street, and there is also a Starbucks.

Check out the NYC Parks events calendar to get the exact dates The Little Red Lighthouse is open – it changes every year –  including the fall festival.

Have you been to the lighthouse? What has been your favorite City Kid experience? Please post in the comments below.

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