Sassafras Point Light
Lighthouse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sassafras Point Light was a lighthouse that stood in the Providence, Rhode Island harbor approaches. It was deactivated in 1912 and no longer exists.
postcard image of light | |
 | |
| Location | Providence River off Sassafras Point |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°48′1.55″N 71°23′31.41″W[1] |
| Tower | |
| Foundation | granite pier[2] |
| Construction | Wood[2] |
| Height | 14 feet (4.3 m)[3] |
| Shape | hexagonal pyramidal tower[2] |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1872[4] |
| Deactivated | 1912[4] |
| Focal height | 25 feet (7.6 m)[4] |
| Lens | sixth order Fresnel lens[4] |
| Characteristic | F R  |
History
This light was paired with the Fuller Rock Light from the beginning: it was approved in the same bill, built according to the same design, and tended by the same keepers.[5] Sassafras Point jutted out north into the Providence River, and the light thus marked this obstruction. The short wooden pyramidal tower sat upon a granite pier and was provided with a sixth order Fresnel lens; it was first lit in 1872.[3]
This light was unmanned and was visited from shore by boat; a keeper's dwelling was originally planned but although funds were appropriated in 1874 the lighthouse service was never able to acquire a property on which to erect a house, and keepers lived in their own homes in town. Staffing was difficult due to the low pay.[6]
The light was removed in 1912 as part of a channel-widening project.[6]