Montauk Point Lighthouse & The Memory Motel

Montauk Point is located at the tip of the South Fork peninsula of New York's Long Island, and is one of our favorite destinations. I'm a fan of visiting lighthouses whenever I can, as I feel there is always something so romantic about them. The Montauk Point Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in New York State. It was authorized by the Second Congress, under President George Washington, in 1792. Construction began on June 7, 1796 and was completed on November 5, 1796. This historic landmark has been part of Long Island's land and seascape for over 200 years and still serves as an active aid to navigation.

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A photo mosaic of architectural scenes inside the lighthouse and the lighthouse museum. The lighthouse is the fourth oldest active lighthouse in the United States. The height of the tower is 110 feet 6 inches and there are 137 iron steps to the top of the tower. The light at the top flashes every 5 seconds and can be seen a distance of 19 nautical miles.  Automated by the Coast Guard in 1987, the Montauk Point Lighthouse no longer needs a lightkeeper, but the Coast Guard has transferred ownership of the lighthouse to the Montauk Historical Society in order to provide for its continued maintenance and preservation.

Some of the beautiful skies and vistas seen from the lighthouse and from the surrounding grounds on Montauk Point.

From Montauk Point

"I stand as on some mighty eagle’s beak,

Eastward the sea absorbing, viewing,

(nothing but sea and sky,)

The tossing waves, the foam,

the ships in the distance,

The wild unrest, the snowy, curling caps --

that inbound urge and urge of waves,

Seeking the shores forever."

 ~ Walt Whitman -- Leaves of Grass

Looking out from the rocky shore at the very tip of Long Island, NY, towards the vast Atlantic Ocean.

Some misty early morning fishermen in the waters off Montauk Point.

A little fun music trivia -- The Memory Motel which is located at 692 Montauk Hwy, Montauk NY, has a place in the rock and roll band, The Rolling Stones, history. When The Rolling Stones were on tour in 1975-76 they stayed with a friend, the artist Andy Warhol, at his home in Montauk. The Memory Motel was said to be the only place in the area with a pool table and a piano, and The Stones came by to hang out at the bar. The seven minute song "Memory Motel," from their "Black and Blue" album was written during this period. You can hear it on this Youtube link.



I'm adding this post to Mary's "Mosaic Monday" event over her blog The Little Red House. Please visit Mary today to see her beautiful photo mosaics, and to find links to participating blogs with many wonderful mosaic contributions.