It was originally located at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, before being relocated to the Hudson River.
The lighthouse was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1947.
A public outcry led by children saved the lighthouse from demolition in 1951 after the Coast Guard deemed it surplus.
It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The light is officially designated as a private aid to navigation.
Its height is 40 feet, a diminutive stature compared to the massive bridge infrastructure directly above it.
The Little Red Lighthouse, officially known as the Jeffrey's Hook Light, is a cast-iron lighthouse situated directly beneath the George Washington Bridge in Fort Washington Park. Built in 1880, it was moved to its current Manhattan location in 1921 to guide ships through the Hudson River's treacherous Jeffrey's Hook. It ceased active navigation duties in 1947 after the bridge's own navigation lights rendered it obsolete. The structure was immortalized in the 1942 children's book 'The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge' by Hildegarde Swift. It is the only surviving lighthouse in Manhattan. The site remains a focal point of Fort Washington Park, managed by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Restoration efforts have maintained its distinctive red exterior, which contrasts sharply against the massive steel suspension bridge above.
From the shoreline looking up at the lighthouse with the bridge structure framing the background.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the path from the street level to the water's edge involves a significant descent and climb.
Bring water and snacks, as there are no commercial vendors directly at the site.
Check the NYC Parks website for rare interior tour dates, as the lighthouse is generally not open to the public.
Do not attempt to walk on the restricted areas of the bridge infrastructure or the active railroad tracks nearby.
Interior access is extremely limited and generally restricted to special festival events or guided tours; the exterior is accessible year-round.
Stay on marked trails to protect the park's vegetation and natural shoreline.
