Sheffield Island Lighthouse is a beacon of Connecticut history

Off the coast of Norwalk, 25 small islands have historically posed a challenge to sailors. To guide sea captains safely through the waters, lighthouses were built.

This week on Made in Connecticut, News 12’s Rebecca Surran traveled to Sheffield Island and its historic lighthouse.

Sheffield Island, a 53-acre spread, is home to a 156-year-old lighthouse. The drive to the island is a scenic one, offering stunning views of the coast and glimpses of the osprey nests that dot the area.

The island’s lighthouse was built in 1868, replacing an earlier cabin built in the early 1800s by Gershom Smith, the first lighthouse keeper. Smith, his wife and their 12 children lived in the small home. However, as Connecticut’s commercial industry grew in the late 1850s, Congress ordered a new lighthouse to accommodate the growing maritime traffic.

The new lighthouse, built of granite quarried in Southington, Connecticut, is topped with a cast-iron tower. It served as a vital guide for ships sailing into Norwalk Harbor.

Sheffield Light was decommissioned in 1904, its purpose having been served by modern technology. However, thanks to the Norwalk Seaport Association, the lighthouse is a testament to Connecticut’s maritime history.

The Seaport Association offers island cruises, allowing visitors to experience this iconic structure first hand. The association also holds its annual fundraiser, the Norwalk Oyster Festival, from September 6th to September 8th.