West Pierhead Lighthouse on Lake Ontario

 Back on September 26th, my family took a day trip up to Oswego, New York, to see Lake Ontario and Fort Ontario. While there we were able to see the West Pierhead Lighthouse.

West Pierhead Lighthouse

From the bluff along the northern edge of Fort Ontario you can see the West Pierhead Lighthouse. West Pierhead Lighthouse sits at the end of a breakwater, about a half a mile from the shore.

West Pierhead Lighthouse, viewed from Fort Ontario
West Pierhead Lighthouse, viewed from Fort Ontario.

West Pierhead Lighthouse was built in 1934, and replaced a previous lighthouse on the harbor at the mouth of the Oswego River. The lighthouse's light is still actively used as a navigation aid, and is operated by the United States Coastguard. The structure itself is owned by the city of Oswego.  

The West Pierhead Lighthouse, from the bluff at Fort Ontario
A closer view of West Pierhead Lighthouse.

A view of West Pierhead Lighthouse from the bluff at Fort Ontario
West Pierhead Lighthouse from the bluff at Fort Ontario.

Breakwater

The breakwater that West Pierhead Lighthouse sits at the end of is on the western side of the harbor. It is made up of three straight sections, totaling approximately 1.3 miles (2 km) in length. The breakwater helps to prevent strong waves beyond it from disrupting the harbor. This keeps the harbor waters calmer. 

A boat in the harbor, with the breakwater behind the boat
A wave breaks on the breakwater, behind a fishing boat.

Photographs taken on September 26, 2021, at Oswego, New York

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