Sodus Point Lighthouse in New York — Online Webcam
A Stone Lighthouse on the Shore of Ontario
On the southern shore of Lake Ontario, in Wayne County, New York, stands an unusual lighthouse — more of a stone cottage with a lantern tower than a classic freestanding tower. Sodus Point Lighthouse marks the eastern entrance to Sodus Bay and has been one of the signature landmarks of the Finger Lakes region for over a century and a half. Today, this online camera lets you see it in real time — no flights or museum queues required.
How the First Lighthouse Was Built
The history of navigational structures at this location dates back to the 1820s, when the U.S. Congress approved the construction of the first lighthouse on Sodus Bay. The first lighthouse was approved by Congress on May 26, 1824, and built in 1825. The project cost the treasury $4,500 — a rather modest sum for that era. It was a one-and-a-half-story dwelling and a separate conical tower 40 feet (12.2 m) tall, equipped with ten lamps and nine-inch reflectors. The light from them was visible for several miles across the water, guiding vessels to one of the busiest ports on Lake Ontario.
The Birth of the Current Limestone Lighthouse
The original structure served for less than half a century. By the 1870s, it could no longer handle the growing shipping traffic and needed to be replaced. The current limestone lighthouse was built in 1870–1871 — work began in August 1870 and was completed on June 30, 1871. The stone for construction was quarried in Kingston, and it is this limestone that gives the building the warm gray-beige hue clearly visible on the webcam. The two-story dwelling with an attached tower became the new dominant feature of the shoreline.
Architecture That Surprises
Sodus Point Lighthouse is not what you typically picture when you hear the word "lighthouse." It is not a slender, tall tower, but rather a solid stone cottage from which a lantern tower rises. The architectural feature is that it is a cozy stone cottage with a lantern tower, not a classic freestanding tower. Inside the tower, the ascent is via 52 steps — and today museum visitors can climb this path to take in the panoramic view of the lake from above. This layout is characteristic of Great Lakes lighthouses from the 19th century, where the keeper and his family lived directly in the lighthouse building.
Service on the Lake and the Sunset of an Era
For decades, Sodus Point Lighthouse helped guide ships into Sodus Bay — one of the key ports on the southern shore of Ontario. The lighthouse marked the eastern entrance to the bay and helped guide numerous vessels to one of the busiest ports on the lake. But navigation technology did not stand still. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1901, when it was replaced by an outer lighthouse on the western breakwater of the bay — which proved more effective for navigation. The stone building was reclassified as a historic landmark.
A Museum Within the Lighthouse Walls
The fate of the building was decided in the late 20th century. Since 1988, the lighthouse has housed the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum, operated by the Sodus Bay Historical Society. The exhibits are dedicated to the maritime history of the region, the operation of lighthouses, and local shipping traditions. A Fresnel lens was returned to the tower, and today visitors can climb the tower, explore the exhibits, browse the gift shop, and enjoy the gardens, lake views, and picnic areas. The museum has become a hub for tourists interested in the history of the Great Lakes.
Recognition of Historical Significance
Sodus Point Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) — official recognition of its value as a cultural heritage site. This status secures the lighthouse's significance as an architectural and maritime history landmark. For the small community of Sodus Point in Wayne County, this is one of the main attractions, drawing enthusiasts of historic architecture and lake landscapes.
Sodus Bay and Its Surroundings
Sodus Point is not just a lighthouse. It is a whole world on the shore of Ontario, with marinas, beaches, restaurants, and parks. Sodus Bay is popular with yachtsmen and fishermen, and in summer, resort life buzzes here. The wooded hills on the opposite shore create a picturesque backdrop clearly visible from the breakwater where the lighthouse stands. The Finger Lakes region is famous for its wineries and farms, so a trip to the lighthouse can easily be combined with culinary tourism.
What You Can See on the Camera
The webcam with a view of Sodus Point Lighthouse broadcasts a live picture from the breakwater stretching into the calm waters of Lake Ontario. In the foreground are deciduous trees and a rocky shore with patches of green grass. Along the right bank, residential homes and buildings of Sodus Point are visible. In the distance is the opposite shore with wooded hills. The water surface is calm with small waves near the shoreline. This real-time online camera allows you to observe changes in lighting, water conditions, and seasonal transformations of the landscape — from green summer to snowy winter on the shore of the Great Lakes.
