Esopus Meadows Lighthouse

Maid
of
the
meadow
Rivers, oceans and coastlines are always changing. Wind, snow, ice, waves and the raising water level conspire to take away and in some cases put back.
Back several centuries ago the part of the Hudson River around Esopus once had a meadow quite literally right in the middle of the river. Farmers even brought their cows and sheep out there to graze on the lush grasses.
Over the centuries and decades the meadow eroded away, which was not only unfortunately for the cows but even more unfortunate and dangerous for the many ships that used the river.
The meadow was gone but the very shallow ground that support it still existed and proved a hazard to the river traffic. So in 1839 a lighthouse was built to mark the area.
The massive ice flows and storms soon proved too much for the first lighthouse and it was quickly destroyed. So in 1872 a new and far stronger light was constructed. 250 piles were pounded into the river bed and huge granite blocks were laid down. Then a lovely lighthouse and keepers quarters were built on top and a 5^th order Fresnel Lens was installed.
This new light served well for many years and was automated in 1963. Finally due to neglect and new navigational methods the lighthouse was discontinued and abandoned around 1965 and the light was extinguished.
Fortunately a group of concern lighthouse lovers got together and fixed up and restored the lovely light and even installed a new lens so once again it is an active aid to navigation.
The lighthouse is stunning and is still referred to many locals as «The Maid of the Meadow», a reference to the meadow that once existed. You won’t see any cows out there anymore but if you happen to go by this part of the Hudson you will once again see a beautiful and still useful lighthouse.