Lighthouses of New York Harbor West Bank Lighthouse

 

The 70ft conical shaped West Bank Lighthouse is the tallest of all the offshore lights in the harbor. It is located south of the Verrazano Bridge and is visible from Staten Island's South Beach and from the Coney Island boardwalk. West Bank has served the harbor since its inception in 1901.

Its brown color gives the lighthouse a mystical appearance when you approach it by small boat, especially on an overcast day. The tower shows a fixed white light with red sector, marking the junction of the Ambrose Channel. West Bank works in conjunction with the Staten Island Lighthouse to form a range light for this busy channel into NY harbor. The last keeper of West Bank retired in 1956, serving his final years with USCG personnel. The USCG operated the light until they automated it in 1985. West Bank has the distinction of being the last caisson lighthouse to be manned by USCG personnel in the Third Coast Guard District.