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Stratford Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl (2) White 20s🇺🇸Stratford, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Stratford Lighthouses Lighthouse

The Stratford Lighthouses consist of a 10.5-meter cylindrical tower built of cast iron in 1881. The tower is painted white with a broad red band in its middle and features a white lantern with a red roof. Its light emits two white flashes every 20 seconds, visible for 12.2 nautical miles. The original station first lit the area in 1822, with the current structure erected more than 60 years later. The light was automated and its original lantern removed in 1969, but the lantern was refurbished and returned during a renovation in 1990. The Town of Stratford secured a license agreement in June 2019 and has since worked to restore the structure.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's distinctive coloration serves as a clear daymark for vessels entering the Housatonic River. Its recent opening for guided tours has established it as a local heritage attraction.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl(2) W 20s
Focal Height
16m
Geographic Range
12.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1881
First Lit
1822

Significant events: Light automated and lantern removed in 1969, lantern refurbished and returned during 1990 renovation, Town of Stratford secured license agreement in June 2019, first open house October 2020, Coast Guard repainted in spring 2023, opened for guided tours October 2024, town applied for ownership through NHLPA in May 2025

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Bridgeport(3.4 km)
Admiralty No.
J0810
USCG No.
1-21230
ARLHS No.
USA-816

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a broad red band in the middle
Material
cast iron

Structure: A 10.5m round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a broad red band in the middle. The lantern is white with a red roof.

Location

City
Stratford
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Connecticut
Sea Region
West side of the mouth of the Housatonic River, at the end of Prospect Lane, off CT 113, in Stratford
Latitude
41.1515°
Longitude
-73.1034°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Stratford Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Stratford Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl (2) White 20s — 2 white flashes every 20 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Stratford Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Stratford Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is POOTATUCK at 2.4 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Bridgeport (3.4 NM WNW), Bridgeport (3.7 NM WNW), Milford (4.5 NM NNE), Fairfield (6.1 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Stratford Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Stratford Lighthouses 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 Stratford Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
Stratford Lighthouses 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 Stratford Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Stratford Lighthouses 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.