Esopus lighthouse is a short distance down the Hudson River from Kingston.  The original lighthouse was built in 1837 on the small island a few yards north of the present lighthouse, which was built on a stone caisson to make it more secure against floods and ice floes.  The present lighthouse was built in 1871 and served to warn captains on the Hudson away from the mud flats and shallows along the west shore of the river where Lighthouse Park is located along River Road.

When the lighthouse was automated and closed up, the elements and vandals took a toll on the Esopus Lighthouse.  There was also settling of the granite foundation of the light toward the deep channel along the east side of the Hudson.  The lighthouse was placed on the Register of Historic Places in 1979 and in 1990, the Save the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse Commission was formed to restore and save the Esopus lighthouse.

NOTE:  When the photographs below were taken in mid-June, 2008, River Road was closed north of Lighthouse Park.  The only access to the park was from the south.

NOTE: Views of the Esopus lighthouse from the water are available on the Hudson River cruise operated by Rip van Winkle River Cruises in Kingson:  (845) 255-6515