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Cumberland Head Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇺🇸City of Ithaca, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cumberland Head Lighthouse

Also known as: #Cumberland Head

The Bluff Point Lighthouse, established in 1874, stands on the west shore of Valcour Island. This octagonal cylindrical frame tower, standing 12 meters tall, rises from a two-story keeper's house. Constructed of limestone, wood, and shingles, the tower is gray stone with red shingles and a white lantern and gallery. Its light, which has a focal height of 29 meters, emits a white flash every 4 seconds and has a geographic range of 15.1 nautical miles. The lighthouse was inactive from 1930 to 2004, with its light temporarily moved to a skeletal tower. Restoration efforts began in September 2014 and concluded in the summer of 2016.

Why it matters: Its distinctive octagonal cylindrical frame tower, integrated with an Empire-style keeper's house, makes it a unique architectural example in the region. The lighthouse also serves as a significant cultural and historical attraction, drawing visitors to Valcour Island and contributing to the understanding of maritime heritage in the Adirondack State Forest Preserve.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
29m
Geographic Range
15.1NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1934
First Lit
1874

Significant events: Inactive 1930-2004, light moved to skeletal tower in 1930, state grant for interior repairs in 2001, light returned to lighthouse on 16 November 2004, restoration began September 2014, restoration completed summer 2016

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sodus Point(52.7 km)
USCG No.
1-39470
ARLHS No.
USA-065

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
octagonal cylindrical
Tower Color
gray stone
Material
limestone, wood, shingles

Structure: A 12m octagonal cylindrical frame tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a two-story keeper's house. The tower is covered with red shingles, and its lantern and gallery are painted white.

Location

City
City of Ithaca
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
New York
Sea Region
Located at the tip of a peninsula on the west shore of Valcour Island, a tiny part of Adirondack State Forest Preserve, south of Plattsburgh.
Latitude
42.4643°
Longitude
-76.5157°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cumberland Head Lighthouse at night?+
Cumberland Head displays the characteristic Fl White 4s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Cumberland Head Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cumberland Head Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is ITHACA at 1.1 NM to the S. Other ports served include FINGERS LAKES MARINE (4.4 NM NNW), Lodi (15.6 NM WNW), Hector (15.7 NM W), WATKINS GLEN (16.6 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cumberland Head Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cumberland Head Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Cumberland Head Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cumberland Head Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.