The Little Red Lighthouse: A Beacon of History and Hope

The Little Red Lighthouse, or Jeffrey's Hook Light, is a beloved landmark in Fort Washington Park, Manhattan. Erected in 1880 in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, it was moved to its current location in 1921 to improve Hudson River navigation. For a decade, its flashing red light and fog bell guided ships safely along the narrow channel. The completion of the George Washington Bridge in 1931 rendered the lighthouse's navigational light obsolete. Decommissioned in 1948, the Coast Guard planned to dismantle and auction it off. However, the 1942 children's book, *The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge* by Hildegarde Swift and Lynd Ward, sparked public outcry. The story, about a small lighthouse finding its purpose despite the presence of a larger bridge, resonated with children and adults alike. In 1951, the Coast Guard transferred the lighthouse to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, saving it from demolition. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and relit in 2002. Today, visitors can explore this iconic structure and enjoy stunning views of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge.