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Penfield Reef Light A

fairfield, ct

Built in 1871 and standing majestically about a mile offshore, this grand old lady whets the imaginations of the land bound people who chance to see her. Close enough to see the details of her granite coat, but too far away to touch. It is easy to be carried away to years past and imagine an a shape in oilskins rowing a dory or setting a small sail to get out to the light, or,  perhaps, a square-rigger busy shortening sail to better navigate the perilous reefs that threaten the entrance to Black Rock Harbor.

 The people of Fairfield love this light and they proved it by standing up to the government powers that wanted it torn down and replaced with something like a lamppost. The people won and it has been a love affair ever since!

 Like most beauties, her vital numbers are impressive. Standing fifty-one feet tall, she will catch your eye from fifteen miles away by flashing a red light ever six seconds. And if she thinks you don't see her, she will call to you with a two-second long blast of her great horn every fifteen seconds.

It would be a mistake to ignore her!