U.S. Congress appropriated $5,000 for a lighthouse at the mouth of the Esopus Creek. It was required to guide ships away from nearby shallows and into the Esopus Creek when Saugerties was a major port with daily commercial and passenger transportation.
1835
Construction began by Charles Hooster of Saugerties, who was awarded the low bid $2,988. The lighthouse was built atop a pier constructed of chestnut cribbing with stone fill. The lighthouse itself was a rectangular structure with a circular tower in the center. The light source was 5 whale oil lamps with parabolic reflectors.
circa 1850
Whale oil lamps replaced with four mineral oil lamps
1854
Lantern fitted with sixth-order Fresnel lens and 225-candlepower Argand lamp
1867
Congress appropriated $25,000 for construction of the present lighthouse
1869
The present lighthouse became operational. It was built on a massive circular stone base sixty feet in diameter. The lantern from the original lighthouse was relocated to the new building. The foundation for the original lighthouse remains as a small island adjacent to the exisiting lighthouse.
1873
The cast-iron lantern room was installed with an iron-plate walkway around it for cleaning the outside of the glass.
1888
The Saugerties harbor was enlarged to improve access by dredging the Esopus Creek and constructing a jetty. A small road was made to connect the lighthouse to the mainland atop the jetty created from the dredging spoils.
c.1900
The boathouse was moved from the island to the circular pier of the current lighthouse.
1909
A fog bell was installed on the tower.
1940
Major repairs made to the Lighthouse.
late 1940s
Electricity, steam heat and telephone were added.
1954
The Coast Guard automated the light, making the light keepers obsolete. The building was closed up. Due to neglect, it fell into disrepair and decay in subsequent years.
1976
Saugerties Art Council formed a committee to attempt to save the Lighthouse.
1978
Local historian Ruth Reynolds Glunt and architect Elise Barry succeeded in placing the Lighthouse on the National Register of Historic Structures. This stimulated local citizens to restore the building.
1985
Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy formed with the purpose of acquiring the Lighthouse and restoring it to its former glory. The Coast Guard relinquished jurisdiction over the Lighthouse, and the property reverted to New York State.
1986
Assemblyman Maurice Hinchey and Senator Charles Cook co-sponsored a bill selling the Lighthouse and the adjacent wetlands to the Conservancy for the sum of $1.
1990
After extensive fundraising and restoration work the building was completely reconstructed. The Coast Guard installed a solar-powered beacon, and the lighthouse was officially re-commissioned as an aid to navigation on August 4, 1990.
above: Oldest known photograph of the Lighthouse, circa 1886. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.
above: The Saugerties, one of many steamboats aided by the Lighthouse. Photo by Ruth Reynolds Glunt.
above: Historic photo of the Saugerties Lighthouse showing both original fog bells. 
above: Lighthouse Tender Chester Glunt breaking river ice in early spring. Photo by Ruth Reynolds Glunt.