New London Ledge Light

One of the things I really love are lighthouses. Up until a few years ago, I lived just a block from two lighthouses that I would walk to almost every afternoon, The Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse and Lynde Point Lighthouse.

The one in this photo is called New London Ledge Light, about 15 minutes from Old Saybrook. Built in 1909, it was originally called Southwest Ledge, but was later named New London Ledge Light because people felt it would be confused with another lighthouse in New Haven.

New London Ledge is locally famous for the ghost of an early keeper, nicknamed "Ernie," who allegedly haunts the lighthouse. The Coast Guard crew on duty at the lighthouse, not automated until 1987, reported unexplained knockings taking place at night, as well as doors opening and closing repeatedly, the television turning on and off by itself sporadically, and the unexplained removal of sheets from beds.

In the crew's log, on the last night before the automated light system was installed, the unknown author, a Coast Guard officer, wrote the following:

"Rock of slow torture. Ernie's domain. Hell on earth - may New London Ledge's light shine on forever because I'm through. I will watch it from afar while drinking a brew."

The lighthouse was featured in an episode of 'Scariest Places on Earth' and on 'Ghost Hunters'. It was also investigated by The Atlantic Paranormal Society.