Do the looming holidays make you yearn for the isolation of a secluded, scenic retreat?

If you dream of gazing off into storm-tossed waters while being cozily tucked into an interior dripping in late 19th century charm, the Braddock Point Lighthouse, currently on the market, might provide the right atmosphere. Perched on the shores of Lake Ontario at 18 Clearview Avenue in Hilton N.Y. the lighthouse has been operated most recently as a bed and breakfast but could be used as a personal retreat.

It is also still a functioning lighthouse. However, the light itself is automated, so purchasing the picturesque property doesn’t include any mandatory duties. Although, if you choose to don some period-appropriate garb to reenact the lifestyle of a lightkeeper, there wouldn’t be anyone to stop you.

lighthouse
Geographically the lighthouse is located not right on Braddock Point but in an area known historically as Bogus Point. The decision to not name the light after its precise location was perhaps a wise one.

Discussions about the need for a new navigational aid for traffic through the Great Lakes happened as early as 1889. In 1891, $20,000 was appropriated for the construction of the new lighthouse. Soon after, progress updates began to pop up in the annual reports of the Light House Board, the government agency that oversaw lighthouses and other navigational aids along U.S. waterways at the time. By 1892, the location had been selected and by 1895 construction on the keeper’s house, the tower and a woodshed were underway by builders A.J. Serius & Son.

lighthouse in 1897
The lighthouse soon after completion in 1897. Photo via National Archives

The design is believed to be the work of Jared A. Smith, a West Point graduate, Civil War veteran and engineer. Lieutenant Colonel, and later General, Smith had a long career with the Army Corps of Engineers working on waterway surveys, military fortifications and lighthouses. From 1891 to 1897, he was appointed as Engineer of the Tenth Lighthouse District, which included Braddock Point. The design for Braddock Point included a roughly five-acre site with a 96-foot tall octagonal brick tower, a brick keeper’s house, a barn and a woodshed.

Photographs that were taken soon after completion show a solid seeming structure in the midst of a sparse landscape. The keeper’s house, a Queen Anne style brick house with bay windows, prominent chimneys and several porches, was attached directly to the tower. This would be a practical necessity for the keeper, who would need to climb a spiraling iron staircase up the tall tower to oversee the light. The staircase and the light were actually salvaged from an older lighthouse in Cleveland.

Jared A Smith
Jared Augustine Smith. Photo via the Association of the Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy

The light shone out from the tower for the first time in August of 1896 under the supervision of the resident keeper. Frank Coleman and Adelle Shipley Colman settled into the keeper’s quarters in 1896 along with their two young daughters, Anna and Ada. The Colemans would stay in residence for over thirty years. An 1897 published government register of employees shows that, for his work, Coleman earned a salary of $520 per year.

His work, particularly in the early days of his tenure, would have involved careful tending of the light. There was no flicking on of a switch; the light was created with an oil lamp. It was finally electrified in 1926, just a few years before Frank’s retirement at age 72. Three more keepers followed until the light was automated in 1947 and then ultimately decommissioned at the end of 1954.

1956 ad for lighthouse
A 1956 ad for the sale of the property. Image via the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

The government-owned property went up for sale in 1956, with the winning bid submitted by Walter and Kaye Stone. The couple took ownership in 1957 and became important stewards of the property, making the decision to restore rather than demolish the structure that had been neglected and vandalized since the departure of the last keeper. In an extensive 1985 article about the property by Barbara Carden in the Suburban News, Kaye Stone described the interior as they found it as “a curious mix of government and architecture.” Their restoration work of several decades was continued by the next two owners who all worked to bring the property back to its original charm.

Looking closely at the images of the lighthouse both soon after completion and today it should be obvious that the height of the tower isn’t a trick of photographic perspective — it is significantly shorter. The tower was partially demolished in 1954 and replaced with a steel structure. It wasn’t until the 1990s that a replacement tower was constructed by then-owners Bob and Barbara Thulin. At about 65 feet tall it is a bit shorter than the original, but does include a functioning light. The Coast Guard approved the relighting and evidently conducts inspections to ensure the automated light is functioning properly.

lighthouse in 1897
The lighthouse soon after completion in November of 1897. Photo via National Archives

braddock point lighthouse

The Thulins also did significant restoration work on the interior, telling Soundings in a 2006 article that they consulted the original architectural plans to guide their work. “I wanted to make the house as close to the way it was when it was first built as possible,” Bob Thulin told the publication.

The Town family has operated the picturesque property as the Braddock Point Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast since they purchased it from the Thulins in 2008. Should you decide to become the next steward you can decide whether you want to keep the property all to yourself or continue to run it as a bed and breakfast.

braddock point lighthouse

The interior includes several rooms that have been restored to late 19th century plushness with wood floors, working fireplaces, moldings and pocket doors.

braddock point lighthouse

The octagonal parlor includes one of those working fireplaces with a wood mantel and green tile surround. Like most of the main entertaining spaces, it has windows facing the water. A nice perk for contemporary dwelling but an essential feature of a keeper’s residence.

braddock point lighthouse

Just through the pocket doors is the formal dining room with another fireplace and a view out to the water.

braddock point lighthouse

The interior of the tower itself takes a break from the Victorian inspiration to focus on the amazing views.

braddock point lighthouse

It’s back to the historic vibe in the kitchen with wainscoting and vintage details, including the stove. The listing mentions a catering kitchen so presumably, there is another cooking space on the property.

braddock point lighthouse

Between the keeper’s house and an adjacent carriage house, there are six bedrooms. Three of those appear to be currently used as guest rooms, all with en suite baths.

braddock point lighthouse

There are four full and two half baths and all those pictured in the listing have at least some vintage or vintage-inspired fixtures.

braddock point lighthouse

The tower, keeper’s house and carriage house are set on a little over one acre of waterfront property. Nearby is the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory or, if you need a break from nature, Rochester is just about 20 miles away.

The property is listed for $1.3 million by Kimberley Goluses of Select Sotheby’s International Realty.

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

braddock point lighthouse

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