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About the
Long Island's Lighthouses: Past and Present Book
This page last updated 3/6/2004.
After more then five years of
research, interviews, writing, re-writing, editing, etc., the book is finally
done and in the hands of the publisher. It will contain much information, and
many images, never before available to the general public. It is scheduled to be
released by Suffolk County Lighthouse Day (May 1, 2004).
"What's the book about" you ask? Well, here are the contents:
Cover: Color illustration of
the Shinnecock Bay Lighthouse created just for this book.
Inside Cover: Map of Long Island, with lighthouse sites numbered to match
the book's chapters.
Dedication
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
An Introduction to Long Island's Lighthouse Heritage
I. The Lighthouses and Lightships
A -The North Shore
1 - Stepping Stones (1877)
2 - Sands Point (1809)
3 - Execution Rocks (1849)
4 - Cold Spring Harbor (1890)
5 - Lloyd Harbor/Huntington Harbor (1857/1912)
6 - Eatons Neck (1798)
7 - Old Field Point (1824, 1869)
8 - Stratford Shoal (Middleground) Lightship (1837) and Lighthouse (1877)
B. The North Fork
9 - Horton Point (1857)
10 - Long Beach Bar (1871, 1990)
11 - Orient Point (1899)
12 - Plum Island (1827, 1869)
13 - Little Gull Island (1806, 1869)
C. Fisher's Island
14 - Race Rock (1878)
15 - North Dumpling (1849, 1871)
16 - Latimer Reef (1884)
D. The South Fork
17 - Montauk Point (1796)
18 - Gardiner's Point (1854)
19 - Cedar Island (1839, 1868)
20 - Shinnecock Bay (1857)
E. The South Shore
21 - Wreck of the Oregon Lightship (1886)
22 - Fire Island (1827, 1858)
23 - Fire Island Lightship (1896)
24 - Coney Island (1890)
II. The Future of Long Island’s Historic Lighthouses
References and Bibliography
Lighthouse Societies, Historical Societies, and Museums
Suggested Reading
Index
About the Long Island Chapter of the US Lighthouse Society
Inside Back Cover: Early-1900s Third Lighthouse District Chart
Back Cover: Summary of the book, lighthouse keeper quote, and Plum Island
painting. |
Artwork by two Long Island artists,
and noted lighthouse illustrator Paul Bradley, is included in the book. Also
included are many archival photos, some of which have never before been
available to the public. The text and photos are derived from local, regional,
and national research, with the sources including the National Archives, U.S.
Coast Guard Historian's Office, libraries, museums, historical societies, former
lighthouse keepers, descendants of former keepers, and others. With
approximately 300 pages and over 100 images, there will be no shortage of
information. Don't expect this to be a dry history book, though. While it
contains many names and dates, it also tells many unusual, and even some funny,
stories of life at and around Long Island's many light stations.
Still not convinced that you need a
copy of Long Island's Lighthouses: Past and Present? Here's an added
incentive: All proceeds from the book will support the preservation and
education programs of the Long
Island Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society. The funds raised by
the book will help to preserve and promote the history documented inside it.
Neither I, nor anyone else involved in the research, writing, and editing is
accepting payment for the effort to create the book.
When you read the book, please send me
your thoughts on it (or attend one of my book signings and share your thoughts
in person). I'll use the input to help guide me for my next book (the research
for which is already underway).
Bob Muller
Islip Terrace, NY
December 2003 |
