The Little Red Lighthouse
historic place
At the northern end of Manhattan, beneath the George Washington Bridge, stands the Jeffrey's Hook Lighthouse, known as The Little Red Lighthouse. This historic place in New York County has a unique past. It was originally erected in 1880 at Sandy Hook, New Jersey. In 1921, the lighthouse was reconstructed at its current location on Jeffrey's Hook to aid navigation on the Hudson River. The 40-foot-tall red steel tower served as a vital guide for river traffic. After the George Washington Bridge was completed in 1931, the lighthouse's navigational importance diminished. It was decommissioned in 1948. Plans for its removal in the 1950s sparked a public response, notably from children, inspired by the 1942 book, 'The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge.' This public support led to its preservation. The Jeffrey's Hook Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and designated a New York City Landmark in 1991. It reflects a chapter of New York City's maritime history and the impact of a beloved children's story.