Standing at the edge of Long Island Sound, the Stamford Lighthouse has quietly welcomed seafarers home for nearly a century and a half. Wind-scoured, salt-sprayed, and steadfast, the small but mighty beacon on the Stamford Harbor West Breakwater has guided mariners since 1882. Now, for the first time in generations thanks to the hard work and dedication of a retired doctor from Stamford and a restaurant owner from Rowayton, the lighthouse is undergoing a major renovation - one designed not to reinvent it, but to honor its original beauty and purpose.
For Stamford residents, the lighthouse is more than a navigational aid. It’s a familiar silhouette on the horizon, a marker of home for boaters returning to the harbor, and a reminder of the city’s deep maritime roots. Its restoration marks a meaningful moment: a re-commitment to preserving the city’s history while passing it forward to the next generation.
Constructed in 1882 during a period of rapid growth in coastal trade, the Stamford Lighthouse was engineered for resilience. Built of cast iron and perched on a stone foundation, the structure was designed to withstand storms, ice, and the relentless push of the Sound.
At the time, Stamford’s harbor was a vital artery for commerce, supporting shipping, fishing, and industry. The lighthouse’s steady beam helped guide vessels safely through the harbor entrance, reducing the risk of shipwrecks and grounding along the breakwater.
After more than 140 years of exposure to the elements, time inevitably left its mark. Salt air corroded metal surfaces, storms battered the exterior, and years of deferred maintenance dulled the lighthouse’s appearance. While the structure remained standing, Gary Kalan and Brendan McGee knew that without intervention, this historic landmark risked losing both its integrity and its story. The current renovation aims to address that concern head-on. Rather than modernizing the lighthouse beyond recognition, the project focuses on restoration - returning it as closely as possible to how it appeared in the late 19th century.
Dr. Kalan, a retired anesthesiologist, can see the Lighthouse from his home in Dolphin Cove. In 2023, tired of looking at the decaying structure, Kalan and McGee, co-founders of the non-profit Stamford Harbor Lighthouse Project, purchased the lighthouse, which was abandoned since the 1950s and untouched since the 1980s. The SHLP is a community-driven campaign to save this important landmark and preserve the surrounding marine wildlife.
The renovation includes structural repairs, corrosion mitigation, and careful restoration of exterior surfaces. Original design elements are being preserved and, where necessary, replicated using historically appropriate materials and techniques. Even the lighthouse’s iconic white finish is being renewed to reflect its original look, ensuring it remains visible not just to boats, but to history itself.
This kind of restoration requires patience and precision. Every choice - from materials to methods - balances durability with authenticity. The goal is not simply to extend the lighthouse’s life, but to respect the craftsmanship and intent of those who built it.
Today, Kalan and McGee are transforming this forgotten beacon into a vibrant community asset. In partnership with SoundWaters, they plan to install Living Shorelines and monitor water quality throughout the surrounding 10 acres of submerged land managed by this organization. This effort will help mitigate coastal erosion and rising sea levels that threaten Stamford’s shorelines, as well as the increased storm intensity and frequency that threaten the maritime wildlife in Stamford Harbor.
In 2025, rust removal and structural repairs were completed on the main galley level. Jotun Paints, a Norwegian company, donated all the paint and exterior painting, is on track to start this Spring. Blue Flame Fabrication of Norwalk fabricated and replaced two 110-foot steel compression rings around the caisson, which are critical components that help distribute structural stress in harsh marine environments. The beacon has been upgraded to a brighter LED, improving the reach and visibility. They also partnered with the Stamford Harbor Management Commission to install a Predict Wind Monitoring Station, which will give Stamford residents access to advanced analytics of wind speeds, temperature, and storm tracking.
Looking ahead to 2026, the restoration project includes: completing rust removal throughout the structure, painting the caisson and exterior, restoring the interior while preserving historic wooden floors, ceilings, walls, and Victorian-era ornamental detail, replacing struts that support the canopy roof, reinstalling the 60-foot floating dock and fixed landing, and launching the environmental initiative in partnership with SoundWaters.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Stamford Lighthouse is one of only 33 Sparkplug lighthouses left in the world. While the lighthouse sits offshore, its place in Stamford’s civic life is firmly on land. It appears in photographs, paintings, and memories. Kayakers paddle past it. Sailors use it as a reference point.
When the renovation is complete, the Stamford Lighthouse will once again stand bright against the Sound - renewed, resilient, and ready for the decades ahead. It will continue doing what it has always done: guiding, marking, and reminding. More than a structure, the lighthouse is a promise that Stamford values its history. As the restored beacon shines over the harbor once more, it will carry with it 140 years of stories - and the assurance that Stamford’s past and future remain beautifully, steadfastly connected. Its restoration has sparked renewed interest in Stamford’s maritime history and in the importance of protecting local landmarks. In an era when development moves quickly and change is constant, the Stamford Lighthouse offers something rare: a physical connection to the past that still serves a purpose today.
To learn more or if you would like to donate, visit: www.stamfordlighthouse.org.
“It is critical that we save these national treasures, preserve
them for future generations, and create a lasting resource for the residents of Stamford”
“Renewed, resilient, ready for the decades ahead”
As Stamford Lighthouse’s deed includes 10 acres of surrounding submerged land, it has partnered with SoundWaters to create an offshore classroom and laboratory. Situated 3,600 feet from shore in Stamford Harbor, it is ideally positioned for environmental studies. The lighthouse and SoundWaters will utilize this site for researching "living shorelines" as a solution to environmental issues stemming from rising sea levels and increasingly intense storms due to climate change. This initiative will involve on-site education, water quality monitoring, and the restoration of historic
oyster beds.