Execution Rocks Light - Revision history

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← Previous revision		Revision as of 10:30, 29 December 2025
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	{{Infobox lighthouse		{{Infobox lighthouse
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	'''Execution Rocks Light''' is a [[lighthouse]] in the middle of [[Long Island Sound]] on the border between [[New Rochelle, New York\|New Rochelle]] and [[Sands Point, New York]].<ref name=cgll>{{cite uscgll\|1\|2009\|192}}</ref><ref name=cghist>{{cite uscghist\|NY\|access-date=January 31, 2009}}</ref><ref name="rowlett">{{cite rowlett\|nydn\|date=2010-03-25}}</ref> It stands {{convert\|55\|ft}} tall, with a white light flashing every 10 seconds. The [[granite]] tower is painted white with a brown band around the middle. It has an attached stone keeper's house which has not been inhabited since the light was automated in 1979.		'''Execution Rocks Light''' is a [[lighthouse]] in the middle of [[Long Island Sound]] on the border between [[New Rochelle, New York\|New Rochelle]] and [[Sands Point, New York]].<ref name=cgll>{{cite uscgll\|1\|2009\|192}}</ref><ref name=cghist>{{cite uscghist\|NY\|access-date=January 31, 2009}}</ref><ref name="rowlett">{{cite rowlett\|nydn\|date=2010-03-25}}</ref> It stands {{convert\|55\|ft}} tall, with a white light flashing every 10 seconds. The [[granite]] tower is painted white with a brown band around the middle. It has an attached stone keeper's house which has not been inhabited since the light was automated in 1979.

	== History ==		== History ==
	This island on which this lighthouse sits is claimed to derive its name from [[colonial New York]], when [[History of slavery in New York (state)\|slaveowning settlers]] of Sands Point murdered enslaved people by chaining them to the rocks during [[low tide]] to let them [[drown]]; this tale is first recorded by [[Robert Caro]] in 1974.<ref>''Caro, Robert A. "The Power Broker" Random House 1974, p. 151</ref> A 1964 account in ''The Journal of Long Island History'' claims that in fact, murderers were manacled with chains to staples driven into the rock at low tide.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xSEQAQAAMAAJ&q=%22No+one+needs+to+believe+it+,+but%22+Journal+of+Long+Island+History\|title=The Journal of Long Island History\|date=August 20, 1964\|publisher=Long Island Historical Society.\|via=Google Books}}</ref> A more likely etymology is that the British Admiralty named them Executioner's Rocks because so many ships [[ran aground]] on the treacherous rocks.<ref>{{Cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d56gCgAAQBAJ&q=%22Executioner+Rock%22++%22long+island%22&pg=PA55\|title=Historic Haunts of Long Island: Ghosts and Legends from the Gold Coast to Montauk Point\|first=Kerriann Flanagan\|last=Brosky\|date=September 14, 2015\|publisher=Arcadia Publishing\|isbn=9781625852038\|via=Google Books}}</ref> References to "the Execution Rocks" in the [[Long Island Sound]] pre-date the American Revolution, existing as far back as 1766.<ref>"Advertisement." [[New-York Mercury]] (New York, New York), June 2, 1766: [4]. Readex: America's Historical Newspapers.</ref>		This island on which this lighthouse sits is claimed to derive its name from [[colonial New York]], when [[History of slavery in New York (state)\|slaveowning settlers]] of Sands Point murdered enslaved people by chaining them to the rocks during [[low tide]] to let them [[drown]]; this tale is first recorded by [[Robert Caro]] in 1974.<ref>Caro, Robert A., ''The Power Broker'', Random House 1974, p. 151</ref> A 1964 account in ''The Journal of Long Island History'' claims that in fact, murderers were manacled with chains to staples driven into the rock at low tide.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xSEQAQAAMAAJ&q=%22No+one+needs+to+believe+it+,+but%22+Journal+of+Long+Island+History\|title=The Journal of Long Island History\|date=August 20, 1964\|publisher=Long Island Historical Society.\|via=Google Books}}</ref> A more likely etymology is that the British Admiralty named them Executioner's Rocks because so many ships [[ran aground]] on the treacherous rocks.<ref>{{Cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d56gCgAAQBAJ&q=%22Executioner+Rock%22++%22long+island%22&pg=PA55\|title=Historic Haunts of Long Island: Ghosts and Legends from the Gold Coast to Montauk Point\|first=Kerriann Flanagan\|last=Brosky\|date=September 14, 2015\|publisher=Arcadia Publishing\|isbn=9781625852038\|via=Google Books}}</ref> References to "the Execution Rocks" in the [[Long Island Sound]] pre-date the American Revolution, existing as far back as 1766.<ref>"Advertisement." [[New-York Mercury]] (New York, New York), June 2, 1766: [4]. Readex: America's Historical Newspapers.</ref><ref name=nrhpdoc>{{cite report\|type=none\|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75325127 \|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: [New York] MPS Execution Rocks Light Station\|publisher=National Archives and Records Administration \|author= Daniel Koski-Karrell\|date= July 2006\| access-date=November 8, 2025 }} ({{NationalArchivesNote}})</ref>

	On March 3, 1847, the [[United States Congress]] appropriated $25,000 for creation of Execution Rocks Lighthouse. Designed by [[Alexander Parris]], construction was completed in 1849, although it was not lit until 1850. Over the years, it has survived both a fire and a shipwreck.		On March 3, 1847, the [[United States Congress]] appropriated $25,000 for creation of Execution Rocks Lighthouse. Designed by [[Alexander Parris]], construction was completed in 1849, although it was not lit until 1850. Over the years, it has survived both a fire and a shipwreck.

	The island is under the authority of the [[United States Coast Guard]] and is off limits to the public. It can be seen, however, during the Long Island Lighthouse Society's ''Spring Cold Coast Cruise'', and from the Throgs Neck Bridge.		The island is under the authority of the [[United States Coast Guard]] and is off limits to the public. It can be seen, however, during the Long Island Lighthouse Society's ''Spring Cold Coast Cruise'', and from the [[Throgs Neck Bridge]].

	A [[Daboll trumpet]] was added to Execution Rocks Light on Jan 25, 1869.<ref>''History of American Steam Navigation'', John H. Morrison, W. F. Sametz & Co., New York, 1908, p. 579</ref>		A [[Daboll trumpet]] was added to Execution Rocks Light on Jan 25, 1869.<ref>''History of American Steam Navigation'', John H. Morrison, W. F. Sametz & Co., New York, 1908, p. 579</ref>
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	{{Commons category\|Execution Rocks Lighthouse}}		{{Commons category\|Execution Rocks Lighthouse}}
	*{{cite web\|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/Maritime/light/execut.htm\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070801003438/http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/execut.htm\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=August 1, 2007\|title=Execution Rocks Light\|work=Inventory of Historic Light Stations, New York Lighthouses\|publisher=National Park Service\|access-date=25 March 2010}}		*{{cite web\|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/Maritime/light/execut.htm\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070801003438/http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/execut.htm\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=August 1, 2007\|title=Execution Rocks Light\|work=Inventory of Historic Light Stations, New York Lighthouses\|publisher=National Park Service\|access-date=25 March 2010}}
	* {{cite web\|url=~~http:~~\|title=A non profit for the restoration of Execution Rocks Lighthouse\|publisher=Historically Significant Structures Incorporated~~\|access-date=25 March 2010~~}}		* {{cite web \|url= \|title=A non profit for the restoration of Execution Rocks Lighthouse \|publisher=Historically Significant Structures Incorporated }}
	* [http://www.us-lighthouses.com/displaypage.php?LightID=456 US-Lighthouses / Execution Rock Lighthouse History]		* [http://www.us-lighthouses.com/displaypage.php?LightID=456 US-Lighthouses / Execution Rock Lighthouse History]

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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| image_name = Line4046 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg
| image_size=300px
| location = West end of Long Island Sound
| coordinates = {{coord|40|52|41.3|N|73|44|16.3|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| yearbuilt = 1849
| yearlit = 1850
| automated = 1979
| foundation = Dressed stone/timber
| construction = Granite with brick lining
| shape = Conical
| height = {{convert|60|ft}}
| focalheight = {{convert|62|ft}}
| lens = Fourth Order Fresnel, 1856 (original), APRB-251 (current)
| range = {{convert|15|nmi}}
| characteristic = Flashing white 10s
| fogsignal = none
| racon="X" (– •• –)
| module = {{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
| name = Execution Rocks Light Station
| nearest_city = [[New Rochelle, New York]]
| architect = [[Alexander Parris]]
| added = February 23, 2007
| mpsub = Light Stations of the United States MPS
| refnum = 07000094<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
}}}}
'''Execution Rocks Light''' is a [[lighthouse]] in the middle of [[Long Island Sound]] on the border between [[New Rochelle, New York|New Rochelle]] and [[Sands Point, New York]].<ref name=cgll>{{cite uscgll|1|2009|192}}</ref><ref name=cghist>{{cite uscghist|NY|access-date=January 31, 2009}}</ref><ref name="rowlett">{{cite rowlett|nydn|date=2010-03-25}}</ref> It stands {{convert|55|ft}} tall, with a white light flashing every 10 seconds. The [[granite]] tower is painted white with a brown band around the middle. It has an attached stone keeper's house which has not been inhabited since the light was automated in 1979.

== History ==
This island on which this lighthouse sits is claimed to derive its name from [[colonial New York]], when [[History of slavery in New York (state)|slaveowning settlers]] of Sands Point murdered enslaved people by chaining them to the rocks during [[low tide]] to let them [[drown]]; this tale is first recorded by [[Robert Caro]] in 1974.<ref>''Caro, Robert A. "The Power Broker" Random House 1974, p. 151</ref> A 1964 account in ''The Journal of Long Island History'' claims that in fact, murderers were manacled with chains to staples driven into the rock at low tide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xSEQAQAAMAAJ&q=%22No+one+needs+to+believe+it+,+but%22+Journal+of+Long+Island+History|title=The Journal of Long Island History|date=August 20, 1964|publisher=Long Island Historical Society.|via=Google Books}}</ref> A more likely etymology is that the British Admiralty named them Executioner's Rocks because so many ships [[ran aground]] on the treacherous rocks.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d56gCgAAQBAJ&q=%22Executioner+Rock%22++%22long+island%22&pg=PA55|title=Historic Haunts of Long Island: Ghosts and Legends from the Gold Coast to Montauk Point|first=Kerriann Flanagan|last=Brosky|date=September 14, 2015|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=9781625852038|via=Google Books}}</ref> References to "the Execution Rocks" in the [[Long Island Sound]] pre-date the American Revolution, existing as far back as 1766.<ref>"Advertisement." [[New-York Mercury]] (New York, New York), June 2, 1766: [4]. Readex: America's Historical Newspapers.</ref>

On March 3, 1847, the [[United States Congress]] appropriated $25,000 for creation of Execution Rocks Lighthouse. Designed by [[Alexander Parris]], construction was completed in 1849, although it was not lit until 1850. Over the years, it has survived both a fire and a shipwreck.

The island is under the authority of the [[United States Coast Guard]] and is off limits to the public. It can be seen, however, during the Long Island Lighthouse Society's ''Spring Cold Coast Cruise'', and from the Throgs Neck Bridge.

A [[Daboll trumpet]] was added to Execution Rocks Light on Jan 25, 1869.<ref>''History of American Steam Navigation'', John H. Morrison, W. F. Sametz & Co., New York, 1908, p. 579</ref>

Before being executed for murder, serial killer [[Carl Panzram]] claimed in a posthumous autobiography that in the summer of 1920 that he raped and killed a total of ten sailors and dumped their bodies at sea near Execution Rocks Light.

On November 25, 1958, Execution Rocks Light was the location of a pivotal scene in the first-season episode "The Bird Guard" of the television series ''[[Naked City (TV series)|Naked City]]''.

On May 29, 2007, the Department of the Interior identified Execution Rocks Light Station as surplus under the [[National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act]] of 2000.

{{blockquote|Designed and built (1848–49) by Alexander Parris. Six story 72 ft. tower has frustum shape. Cut granite masonry keeper's dwelling (1867–68) in Gothic Revival style with 2.5 floors, approx. 1000 SF. Early example of "wave swept tower" engineering. On protective rip-rap artificial island (approx. 0.3 acre) with small boat basin.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by American Society of Engineers. Property must be maintained according to the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Historic covenants will be incorporated into the Quitclaim Deed; however, no submerged land will be conveyed under the Quitclaim Deed.

The U.S. Coast Guard shall retain an easement for an Arc of Visibility and an unrestricted right of access in, to and across the Property to maintain, operate, service, repair and install equipment as necessary to support its aid to navigation mission. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard shall retain the unrestricted right to relocate or add any aids to navigation, or communications towers and equipment (along with necessary right of ingress/egress), or make any changes on any portion of the property as may be necessary for navigation/public safety purposes.<ref name="doi-announce">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070819111313/http://www.nps.gov/history/MARITIME/nhlpa/noas2007.htm Available properties through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Program for 2008.]</ref>}}

It was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2007 as '''Execution Rocks Light Station'''. On January 27, 2009, the Secretary of the Interior announced that Execution Rocks Light would be transferred to the [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]-based [[Historically Significant Structures]], which would partner with the [[Science Museum of Long Island]] to restore the light.<ref>''[[Newsday]]'', January 27, 2009, "Philly group gets care of Execution Rocks Lighthouse"</ref>

== Chronology ==
[[File:Executionrocks.jpg|thumbnail|right]]
A chronological history of the lighthouse from the Coast Guard:<ref name=cghist />

*1847, March: Congress appropriated $25,000 for the light to be built.
*1849, May: Construction was completed.
*1850: The lighthouse was first lit.
*1856: A fourth order [[Fresnel lens]] was installed.
*1868: The keeper's quarters were added. The keeper no longer had to live in the cramped space inside the tower.
*December 8, 1918: A fire with an unknown origin caused $13,500 in damage. The engine house and machinery were destroyed, the tower and oil house were damaged and the windows, woodwork, gutters and eaves were also damaged.
*December 5, 1979: The lighthouse was automated. A [[Vega Industries|VEGA lantern]] replaced the Fresnel lens.
*2010: Historically Significant Structures Inc. is giving tower climb tours of the lighthouse in the summer.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Execution Rocks Lighthouse}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/Maritime/light/execut.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070801003438/http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/execut.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 1, 2007|title=Execution Rocks Light|work=Inventory of Historic Light Stations, New York Lighthouses|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=25 March 2010}}
* {{cite web|url=http:|title=A non profit for the restoration of Execution Rocks Lighthouse|publisher=Historically Significant Structures Incorporated|access-date=25 March 2010}}
* [http://www.us-lighthouses.com/displaypage.php?LightID=456 US-Lighthouses / Execution Rock Lighthouse History]

{{Lighthouses of New York}}
{{New Rochelle, New York}}
{{National Register of Historic Places}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Lighthouses completed in 1949]]
[[Category:Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Long Island Sound]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in New Rochelle, New York]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Westchester County, New York]]
[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Westchester County, New York]]