Little Red 2

This is for an 8 x 10 print only. Only copy in stock, on sale

Tucked beneath the hustle and bustle of the world’s busiest vehicular bridge stands a fragment of New York City’s storied maritime history. Nestled just above the currents of the Hudson River and along the coastal outskirts of Fort Washington Park, the vibrant Little Red Lighthouse has become a fixture of Washington Heights’ landscape. Although it only stands 40 feet tall, the structure and its surrounding land are packed with past tales that shine a light on 19th century New York City.

Although the lighthouse’s widely-known moniker is derived from its bright fire engine red exterior, its alternative name is Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse. Parts of Upper Manhattan and Eastern, New Jersey are the ancestral lands of Lenape peoples and Washington Heights was inhabited by the Weckquaesgeek tribe. According to the New York City Parks Department, during the 17th century, the Weckquaesgeek, as well as Dutch and English colonists, used the Hudson River banks for fishing and hunting.

At this time, it was also evolving into a primary traveling route as a coastal gateway to the Atlantic Ocean. As the Hudson River emerged as a busier waterway, shipwrecks were common occurrences. To prevent accidents, a red pole was placed at Jeffrey’s Hook riverbank—and topped with two lanterns in 1889—for travelers to err on the side of caution.