Robbins Reef Lighthouse
Sparkplug lighthouse in NY Harbor, best viewed from the NJ side at Liberty State Park or Bayonne. Famous for heroic keeper Kate Walker.
56
Feet Tall
1883
Year Built
No
Public Access
Book Robbins Reef Lighthouse Tours & Climbs
Guided lighthouse tours and climbing tickets. Skip the line, free cancellation on most tours.
About Robbins Reef Lighthouse
Robbins Reef Lighthouse sits on a concrete caisson in Upper New York Bay, marking the west side of the main shipping channel to New York Harbor. The lighthouse is technically in NY waters but is best viewed from the New Jersey side at Liberty State Park or the Bayonne waterfront. Famous for keeper Kate Walker who served for 33 years.
History
Robbins Reef Lighthouse was built in 1883 on a concrete caisson in Upper New York Bay. The lighthouse marks the western edge of the shipping channel leading to New York Harbor.
The lighthouse is famous for Kate Walker, who became keeper after her husband John died just two years into his service. Kate would row out from the mainland, live in the lighthouse, and row back. She served for 33 years and is credited with saving at least 50 lives.
The lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation and can be seen from the Staten Island Ferry and Liberty State Park.
Notable Facts
- •Kate Walker served as keeper for 33 years and saved at least 50 lives
- •Classic "sparkplug" design on concrete caisson
- •Visible from Staten Island Ferry
- •Still an active Coast Guard navigation aid
- •One of the most famous female lighthouse keepers in history
Visiting Tips
Photography Tips
Technical Details
- Style
- Sparkplug style caisson
- Material
- cast iron on concrete caisson
- Light
- Flashing green every 6 seconds
- Region
- North Shore
- County
- hudson