Haunted Lighthouse To Be Disposed by Government
July 7th, 2007 | by Sue |
Penfield Reef Lighthouse, home of Fred Jordan, the lifesaving spirit and former keeper, is up for grabs to any non-profit group or municipality willing to take it over. Last date to send a letter of interest to the GSA is July 18, 2007. Details of the lighthouse are in this PDF file (will open in new window). Penfield Reef was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, and is located at the entrance to Black Harbor, near Long Island Sound. The light was established in 1874, and is two stories, built of granite. And of course it comes with a resident ghost.
The lighthouse was repaired by the Coast Guard in 2001, and is in fairly good condition. The town of Fairfield, CT, has applied for stewardship, according to the Connecticut Post, in March, 2007. It’s unknown if any others have sent in letters of interest. The town, however, at the time had no plans to open the lighthouse to the public. The shallow reef around the light makes it dangerous for anyone to approach. Even the “Lighthouse People,” Bob and Sandra Shanlin, weren’t able to get more than one photo of the light because the Coast Guard didn’t want to approach too closely. Maybe it was the reef, or maybe it was the ghost, but Fred is a benevolent spirit.
Edit July 8: After I posted this story, the Connecticut Post published online an update on the sale. The town has sent in the letter, and is looking for a group to step up to help raise funds to restore it. They have no plans to open it for tours, however. Jeremy D’Entremont, whose website, New England Lighthouses; A Virtual Guide, is considered the authority on New England Lighthouses, is quoted in the article:
D’Entremont said ghost stories are often associated with lighthouses, but Penfield’s has more credibility because it’s based on a well-documented death.
D’Entremont also doubted that Iten, who tried to save Jordan from drowning, would make light of his death by fabricating a story.
So with any luck, the town will receive the deed to this haunted, historic lighthouse, and it will be restored and maintained for all, including Fred.
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