The Deep River Historical Society in Deep River, Connecticut recently came across this old photograph in their files.
From research, it appears to be what was once known as the Chester Rock Lighthouse which once stood between Chester Rock and Deep River Creeks.
The local harbor management commission would like to build a replica of the lighthouse on the old stone foundation which still exists today. Their plan was endorsed by the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Army Corp of Engineers, the town of Deep River and the Middlesex, CT. Chamber of Commerce. However, the Department of Environmental Protection says it will most likely reject the idea because the project is inconsistent with state standards. The DEP said they might approve the plan if it were a more simple structure such as a pole with a light.
The harbor commission said they envision a 28 foot high reproduction of the original which could act primarily as a daymark. However fire department rescue workers said it should be lit to help them navigate in the area at night.
The original lighthouse apparently came down in the 1930's, although no one seems to be able to find any information on it except a poem written about it in the late 1800's.
If any of our readers has any historical information on the Chester Rock Lighthouse, (if indeed that was the correct name) please write to Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 1690, Wells, Maine 04090.
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