Rock Island Lighthouse

  ROCK ISLAND NY LIGHTHOUSE Limited Edition of 300 pieces Size: 8 1/2 inches wide, 5 inches deep, 4 1/2 inches tall. Sculpted by Harry Hine A brief history of Rock Island In 1847, the US government purchased three small islands on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Island Region. The islands became the base of a small, but vital network of lighthouses used to guide shipping through the narrow river channels and out onto Lake Ontario. The first lighthouse built on Rock Island was a simple affair. A keeper's dwelling of brick with a low tower placed on top of the roof, standing a total of 39 feet. In 1882, work started on extensive alterations to the light station. A short conical iron tower was built at the center of the island and a separate keeper's dwelling was erected off to the side of the tower. It turned out that the relocation of the tower did not improve its ability to guide and warn shipping. The rate of shipwrecks and groundings dramatically increased. It was easy to se