Exploring the lighthouses of Long Island
FIRE ISLAND (WABC) -- Long Island's nearly 120 miles of land is full of beautiful buildings that offer an even more beautiful view.
There are 25 lighthouses located on Long Island and some of them even let you go inside.
Since 1858, one lighthouse has been so much a part of the South Shore of Long Island.
"If you see light that flashes once every 7 seconds you're off Fire Island," Bill Chaloupka said.
The flashing beam coming from the light house has distinct black and white stripes.
For decades, the lighthouse and the quarter's below were home to several different families, who from dusk to dawn kept the light illuminated.
The original light is a rare piece: a 5 wick oil lamp with Fresnel lens. Today, an electric light stands in its place.
It's Bill's pride and joy. He makes sure it's working, and gets why so many people are drawn to lighthouses.
"I think it's the idealistic style of the lighthouse keeper - the rugged individual on some of the rocky outposts someplace, maintaining the light through thick and think, through the storms and everything else that comes with it," Chaloupka said.
Set on the edge of Fire Island National Seashore, the entire compound is open year.
More than 7-thousand students come here each year. Many, many more tourists.
A team with the preservation society selflessly keeps everything up and running.
"It's great to have our volunteers some and see their excitement as far as being able to share but also, you know it's the beach and it's just a fantastic place to be," Dave Griese of the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society said.
I climbed 168 feet up to right below the lantern room, kind of the heart of the lighthouse, where, even now, mariners look for that iconic beacon
"Even with all the radar, even with all the GPS and everything, people still like to see something visual," Griese said.
It truly is iconic. And a huge part of Long Island's maritime history.
You can discover more about Long Island's lighthouses at DiscoverLongIsland.com.
