Clinton County Historical Association
The Bluff Point Lighthouse on Valcour Island overlooks the site of the most important naval battle of the American Revolution, the Battle of Valcour Island. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Lighthouse was built for $15,000 and placed into service in the spring of 1874. Its charge was to guide ships through the channel running between its location on Valcour Island and the New York shore.
In 1876, Major William Herwerth, a disabled veteran, was appointed keeper of the Bluff Point Lighthouse but soon weakened with kidney disease and his wife, Mary, assumed much of the responsibility tending the light. William eventually passed in 1881 and shortly after the local newspaper reported, “The widow of the late Major Herwerth has recently been appointed to the same office” and “work connected with the office will be just as faithfully done as ever, and this has for years been considered one of the best kept lighthouses on the lake.” Mary J. Herwerth faithfully kept the light until 1902.
In 1930, an automatic light was erected to replace the manned lighthouse and in 1954, a Massachusetts dentist, Dr. Raboff, purchased the light station and 13 acres of surrounding land for a summer residence. In the 1980’s, Dr. Raboff offered the property to the State of New York who owned the rest of the Island as part of the Adirondack Park, but refused to give up the property unless the lighthouse was preserved. A compromise was reached where the state would purchase the land for $40,000 and own the lighthouse, but the Clinton County Historical Association (CCHA) would be responsible for maintaining the structure. This price was far less than other offers made to the Raboff’s, but his wife said “things like the lighthouse are like footprints, and if you destroy them, you’re destroying history.”
CCHA restored the interior of the lighthouse, developing several interpretive displays on its history and offering guided tours every Sunday in July and August from 1pm-3pm. So hop on a boat or in a kayak this summer and check out this piece of Clinton County history! We also offer transportation to the island on the first Sunday of July and August annually for a fee. Feel free to contact us for more information!
The Bluff Point Lighthouse is a United States Lighthouse Society affiliated lighthouse, and those with a passport can stop by the lighthouse or museum during operating hours to receive a stamp. You may also mail a request for the stamp to the museum in accordance with USLHS protocol.
Valcour Island is home to the Valcour Island Heritage Trail, which is a 7.5-mile trail that surrounds the entire island and passes 14 historic sites. It is a roughly 4-to-5-hour hike, though there are trails that cut over the island to reduce its length. If you visit the island, please keep in mind the following:
Our Island is owned by New York State and lies within the Adirondack Park, so please pack out anything you bring in so others may enjoy the Island as much as you did.
Many campsites are located near the historic sites. If you find a campsite occupied, please respect the campers’ privacy.
Please do not remove anything from the sites. We would like to be able to share these historic sites with future generations. A camera is a great means of recording your journey while leaving, intact, the sites for others to visit.
If you know what to look for, poison ivy is easy to identify: (1) Shiny, smooth leaves grouped in threes; (2) Smooth-edged, shiny leaves with no serrated (or sawtooth) edges with small “lobes” along the edges; (3) Reddish branches.
