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Pecks Ledge Lighthouse

pecks ledge lighthouse

Norwalk, Connecticut
Built in 1906


Location:

Last lighthouse to be built in Long Island Sound. Located within the Norwalk Islands.

Latitude: 41° 04' 39" N
Longitude: 73° 22' 11" W


Historic Stories:

As a commercial port, Norwalk was in need of a lighthouse on Pecks Ledge to help mark the entrance to the harbor.

Pecks Ledge lighthouse was built in 1906 for the increasing traffic. Early image Peck Ledge light in 1906

Vintage Image 1906
Courtesy US Library Congress

On June 12, 1911, Keeper Conrad Hawk, Assistant Keeper Edward Heizman, and Hiezman's brother found themselves arrested on $500 bonds for pulling lobster pots, where they took lobsters from a lobsterman's catch. This is a serious offense in the lobstering industry.

On the early morning of September 6, 1913, the steamship Middletown was sailing at good speed from Hartford, Connecticut to New York. She approached near Pecks Ledge Light when she got caught in a dense fog and found herself grounded on a rocky ledge on nearby Goose Island. None of the nearly 250 passengers were in danger as the ship showed no signs of water damage. Four tugs were dispatched to remove all passengers safely from the ship. They were transferred to the steamship Bridgeport and continued on to New York. A lighter ship was sent out to help float the Middletown off the ledge on the next high tide, which was successful.

 

Keeper Saves His Lighthouse From Fire He Started

In February of 1913, Keeper Conrad Hawk was repairing lobster traps using tar he had placed in a small tub. He noticed through the kitchen window a nearby post lantern had gone out and decided to row out to relight the post, leaving the small tub of tar near a kitchen stove. After lighting the lantern, as he started to row back to the lighthouse, he saw smoke pouring out of the tower’s windows. He quickly made it to the lighthouse and managed to get into the smoke filled kitchen. Using a clam rake, he dragged the tub of tar across the floor, pushing it out the window onto the rocks below.

Hawk then climbed up the outside ladder and found a heavy quilt from the upstairs bedroom, which he used to block the remaining fueling draft from the kitchen window. He found rope, which he tied to a bucket, and then dropped it over the edge, filling it with seawater to throw on the remaining blaze. After a number of attempts, the remaining flames were finally extinguished. His quick thinking kept the lighthouse from being destroyed, although his carelessness caused the fire.

Pecks Ledge lighthouse surrounded by boats

 

On June 13, 1914, Detective Thomas Leatherland was sent out to Pecks Ledge Light to serve Assistant Keeper Edward Heizman a notice from his ex-wife of charges of non-support, of which he had been served previously a few times beforehand. Heizman, seeing the officer approaching, grabbed his motorboat and headed for Long Island Sound into New York waters. After over an hour of pursuit the detective lashed his boat to Heizman's and took him into custody to post bond in South Norwalk. Heizman protested that he was in New York waters and couldn't be served papers from Connecticut. He lost his case and was ordered to pay his wife money owed each week.

On February 15, 1917, Norwalk Harbor was so frozen over by ice that Heizman was able to freely walk over the ice from the lighthouse to the Norwalk shore. A feat that hadn't been accomplished for many years prior.

Keeper Charles Kenny and his assistant were credited for rescuing 5 men from the vessel J. C. Austin, which started to take on water near the lighthouse on a cold December day.


In 1933, Pecks Ledge was automated against the wishes of Norwalk area mariners, and although the original Fresnel lens was removed in 1939, it still remains as an active aid to navigation.
early Pecks Ledge light
Early Pecks Ledge Light
Courtesy US Coast Guard

 

 

 

Places to Visit Nearby:

Norwalk offers Calf Pasture Beach and Shady Beach, Cranbury Park, Veteran's Park, and the Gallaher Estate, which is an old English Stone Estate for visitors to enjoy.

During September check out the Oyster Festival in Norwalk’s Veteran’s Park.

Norwalk State Heritage Park is a picturesque urban waterfront area in the city based around the wildlife estuary of the Norwalk River.

Take a walk around historic South Norwalk and enjoy its restaurants, shops, and clubs, combined with museums and galleries, then relax at Oyster Shell Park.

The Maritime Aquarium is one of the most sought after attractions in Norwalk.

There are plenty of museums, art exhibits, and events for everyone. You can visit the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum as “one of the earliest surviving Second Empire Style country houses in the US".

 

Contact Info:
City of Norwalk
Phone (203) 854-7900

 

Local Boat Tours

Norwalk Seaport Association
Provides ferry access to Sheffield Island from Norwalk and tours of Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Also provides special Norwalk Harbor cruises to view Pecks Ledge Light and Greens Ledge Light, and view Sheffield Island Light from the boat during the summer.  

4 North Water St.  
Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 838-9444

 

Maritime Aquarium
In addition to marine life study, seals, birding, and TGIF cruises, aboard their research vessel the Spirit of the Sound, to celebrate National Lighthouse Day in early August, they have a 2.5 hour cruise around the Norwalk Islands to view Norwalk’s three historic lighthouses: Pecks Ledge, Greens Ledge and Sheffield Island.

10 North Water Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
Phone: (203) 852-0700

 

Charter My Sea Ray
For those who are looking for a private personal charter experience along Long Island Sound. As part of their Lighthouses Tour, they provide a close up view of Greens Ledge Light, Pecks Ledge Light, and Sheffield Island Light.

144 Water St.
Norwalk, CT 06854
Email: chartermysearay@yahoo.com
Phone: (203) 943-6946

 

 

My 300-page book, Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, provides special human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses, along with plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions you can explore, and tours.

Look inside!

book about lighthouses and local coastal atttractions in southern New England

 

 

 

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