Photos

Located 125 miles east of New York City, at the tip of Long Island, Montauk is the fourth oldest active light in America, this 18th century light also served as the first viewable symbol of the new world to millions of European immigrants who were headed to New York Harbor. It stood even prior to the Statute of Liberty (which was built in1886).
In 1791 the Second U.S. Congress passed an act to erect a "Light-House on Montok point." On April 12, 1792, the act was approved by President Washington and signed by Secretary of State Jefferson, making it the first lighthouse built by the new nation. The bid to construct the lighthouse was awarded to John McComb Jr., a young New York City architect who built the original Cape Henry, VA, and Eaton's Neck, NY lights. All three of McComb's towers were built in the 1790's, and all remain standing today.
The tower was constructed of "brown Chatham stone" between June and November of 1796, on Turtle Hill, 130 yards from the water's edge. The 13 oil lamps shone for the first time in the spring of 1797, after difficulties shipping oil and lantern glass to the site.
During the 1800's several changes were made to the original construction: in 1838 a brick dwelling was added on to the 16' x 34' keeper's dwelling; in 1849 a chandelier with 15 lamps with 21" reflectors was hung in the lantern; in 1857 Montauk received a first-order fresnel lens. Extensive renovations were made in 1860: fourteen feet had to be added to the tower to accommodate the new lantern with a service room beneath to maintain the revolving apparatus. An iron balcony and iron stairway were added at this time, bringing Montauk's tower height to its current 110 feet.
I took this photo on a clear day in mid February two years ago. It has been cropped just a little and sharpened in Photoshop Elements. Hope you like it.