The Forgotten Borough's Forgotten Industry: The History Of Lighthouses On Staten Island

The original Lighthouse Depot Administrative Building, constructed in 1869, where superintendent, clerks and architects worked. It is the only building on site that is both a national and city landmark, because it was designed by famous treasury department architect Alfred B. Mullett who only has a few buildings left standing. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

The original Lighthouse Depot Administrative Building, constructed in 1869, where superintendent, clerks and architects worked. It is the only building on site that is both a national and city landmark, because it was designed by famous treasury department architect Alfred B. Mullett who only has a few buildings left standing. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

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The original Lighthouse Depot Administrative Building, constructed in 1869, where superintendent, clerks and architects worked. It is the only building on site that is both a national and city landmark, because it was designed by famous treasury department architect Alfred B. Mullett who only has a few buildings left standing. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

Gothamist

Administrative Building today. (Claire Leaden)

Administrative Building today. (Claire Leaden)

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Administrative Building today. (Claire Leaden)

Gothamist

Staten Island Lighthouse Depot workers in front of the 1868 lamp shop. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

Staten Island Lighthouse Depot workers in front of the 1868 lamp shop. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

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Staten Island Lighthouse Depot workers in front of the 1868 lamp shop. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

Gothamist

The 1907 lamp shop, today. This facilitated the coming and going of Fresnel lenses, and was constructed when the depot needed more space beyond the original 1868 building. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

The 1907 lamp shop, today. This facilitated the coming and going of Fresnel lenses, and was constructed when the depot needed more space beyond the original 1868 building. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

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The 1907 lamp shop, today. This facilitated the coming and going of Fresnel lenses, and was constructed when the depot needed more space beyond the original 1868 building. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

Gothamist

The "Wall of Lights" at the National Lighthouse Museum on Staten Island, which houses 168 lighthouse models throughout history and today, with 24 U.S. states and 12 countries represented. (Claire Leaden)

The "Wall of Lights" at the National Lighthouse Museum on Staten Island, which houses 168 lighthouse models throughout history and today, with 24 U.S. states and 12 countries represented. (Claire Leaden)

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The "Wall of Lights" at the National Lighthouse Museum on Staten Island, which houses 168 lighthouse models throughout history and today, with 24 U.S. states and 12 countries represented. (Claire Leaden)

Gothamist

An example of an early 200 mm marine beacon, or lighthouse service buoy, at the museum. (Claire Leaden)

An example of an early 200 mm marine beacon, or lighthouse service buoy, at the museum. (Claire Leaden)

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An example of an early 200 mm marine beacon, or lighthouse service buoy, at the museum. (Claire Leaden)

Gothamist

Another view of the Lighthouse Depot from the opposite side, circa 1890. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

Another view of the Lighthouse Depot from the opposite side, circa 1890. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

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Another view of the Lighthouse Depot from the opposite side, circa 1890. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

Gothamist

An overhead view of the entire Lighthouse Depot circa 1890. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

An overhead view of the entire Lighthouse Depot circa 1890. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

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An overhead view of the entire Lighthouse Depot circa 1890. (National Lighthouse Museum/National Archives)

Gothamist