Windmill Point Lighthouse
Alburg, VT

History:
In 1858, the Lighthouse Board constructed three new stations on Lake Champlain using a standardized design. Except for height, the towers are nearly identical. Each of these "Three Sisters" had an octagonal tower of rough-hewn blue limestone block, an iron lantern with trapezoid panes, and a passageway connecting it to a Cape Cod style keeper's quarters. This station with its sturdy house built of rubble stone replaced on of the many old private lights with a new sixth order Fresnel optic. Its fixed white light in the 40 foot tower created a focal plane 52 feet above the lake's surface that made it visible for 13 miles.

A course line between the lights at Windmill Point and Isle La Motte marks a channel clear of reefs and rocks through these narrows. This most northern light was kept in good order until replaced in 1931 by an acetylene light on a steel skeleton tower that is now solar powered.

In 2001, the Coast Guard wanted to re-light some of the Lake Champlain lighthouses. Windmill Point was one of the ones on their list. In 2002 the lighthouse was once again re-lit.

Latitude/Longitude: 44.982304,-73.341777

Nearest Address: 1370 Windmill Point, Alburgh, VT

• From the NY/VT border on US 2 (at the bridge going over Lake Champlain) head east into Vermont.
• In 1.9 miles take a sharp right onto Windmill Point Rd. (it's a dirt road)
• Follow Windmill Point for 1.5 miles to the lighthouse (Windmill Pt. becomes SR 20 after 1.1 miles)

View Larger Map