Location: North End of Block Island
1867 - present Lat 41 13 42 N - Long 71 34 36 W

Established: 1829

Original Lighthouse Constructed: 1829

Current Lighthouse Constructed: 1867

Automated: 1955

Deactivated: 1973 -1989

Original Illuminating Apparatus: Fourth Order Fresnel Lens

Current Illuminating Apparatus: VBR 25

Height: Lighthouse: 52 feet
Skeleton tower: 20 feet (1973 - 1989)

Status: Active Aid to Navigation/Interpretive Center

Light Characteristic: Lighthouse: Fixed White (1906)

Group Occulting (3) White every 13.5 seconds (1924)
2 seconds flash, 1.5 seconds eclipse
2 seconds flash, 1.5 seconds eclipse
5 seconds flash, 1.5 seconds eclipse

Flashing White every 5 seconds (2005)

Skeleton tower: Flashing White every 5 seconds (1973 - 1989)

Range: Lighthouse: 13 miles (1906)
13 miles (2005)
Skeleton tower: 13 miles (1973 - 1989)

The first Block Island North Light was built at the Northern tip of Block Island in 1829. It had two towers, one at each end of the light. After a few years, erosion threatened to bring the lighthouse down.

In 1837, a granite lighthouse was built further inland. It also had a tower at both ends of the keeper's dwelling. The illuminating apparatus in each tower consisted of seven lamps with parabolic reflectors.

Erosion, a constant problem at the northern tip of Block Island, also threatened the second light. In 1857, a granite tower was built farther inland. It was equipped with a fourth order Fresnel lens. This light was soon threatened by erosion too. A new light was needed.

The present light, a granite keeper's dwelling with a tower attached to the roof, was built in 1867. It was equipped with a fourth order Fresnel lens. The light was automated in 1955. In 1973 the Coast Guard closed the lighthouse and replaced it with a light on a skeleton tower.

The town of New Shoreham acquired the light in 1984. After years of hard work the light was relighted on August 15, 1989. Today the light once again serves an active aid to navigation. The light is maintained by the North Light Commission. During the summer visitors can visit a museum on the first floor of the light and see the light's Fresnel lens.