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Stepping Stones Lighthouse

Occ G 4s🇺🇸Downstate New York, USOperational

Also known as: Stepping Stones Light Station

Constructed in 1877, Stepping Stones Light is a Victorian-style lighthouse situated in Long Island Sound, within Nassau County, New York. The structure is square-shaped, built of red brick, and stands one-and-a-half stories high, with a tower height of 14 meters. It emits a green light. The reef it marks is historically significant, named in Siwanoy Native American legends as "The Devil's Stepping Stones." The lighthouse remains operational and is managed by the United States Coast Guard, though it is not accessible to the public.

Why it matters: Stepping Stones Light Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The lighthouse is recognized as a virtual twin to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.

Background
Stepping Stones Light is a Victorian-style lighthouse in Long Island Sound, in Nassau County, New York. The lighthouse is square-shaped and made of red brick, standing one-and-a-half stories high. The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is a virtual twin of this structure. The light is currently in use under the management of the United States Coast Guard. It is not open to the public. The reef upon which it sits was given its name by Siwanoy (Minnefords) Native American legends. According to the legend, the tribe used warriors, medicine, and magic to chase the devil out of present-day Westchester County, New York onto City Island (formerly Greater Minneford Island), surrounding him at Belden Point. The devil then picked up huge boulders lying there and tossed them into Long Island Sound, using them as stepping stones to make his escape. The natives named the rocks "The Devil's Stepping Stones". It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Stepping Stones Light Station on September 15, 2005, reference number 05001026. The light station has been declared surplus, and the application for transfer under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 is under review. In 2008, the light station was transferred to the Town of North Hempstead. In 2014, the Town of North Hempstead entered into a partnership with the Great Neck Historical Society and the Great Neck Park District to raise funds to rehabilitate the Lighthouse. The National Park Service and New Y
Characteristic Signature
Occ G 4s
Flash Type
Occ
Light Color
Green
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s
Year Built
1877
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place
Tower Height
14m
City
Downstate New York
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
40.8243°
Longitude
-73.7746°
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Stepping Stones Lighthouse at night?+
Stepping Stones displays the characteristic Occ G 4s — 1 green flash every 4 seconds. 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Stepping Stones Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Stepping Stones Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is City Island at 0.7 NM to the NW. Other ports served include BROADLAWN (2.1 NM E), WHITESTONE (2.3 NM SW), Sands Point (3 NM ENE), COLLEGE POINT (3.6 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Stepping Stones Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Stepping Stones 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.
What shipping routes pass near Stepping Stones Lighthouse?+
Stepping Stones Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Stepping Stones Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Stepping Stones 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.