Crown Point Lighthouse and Champlain Memorial

Mar 18

Written By Do

A former lighthouse is now a tribute to explorer Samuel de Champlain.

Crown Point Lighthouse on Lake Champlain. — The Champlain Memorial Lighthouse.

New York State has nearly 50 lighthouses, several right here in the ADK. Lake Champlain has a rich history as a vital waterway between New York and Canada.

According to Adirondack Architectural Heritage, ten lighthouses built in the 19th century still stand on Lake Champlain.

The Crown Point Light, an iconic beacon of history, was first erected in 1858. It stands proudly on a picturesque point just south of the Champlain Bridge. This remarkable site is in close proximity to the remnants of Fort St. Frederic, a bustling fortification from the 1700s that tells tales of a bygone era.

Transformation from lighthouse to towering monument.

A visionary transformation took place to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s exploration of the expansive lake that now carries his name.

Crown Point Lighthouse and Champlain Memorial overlooking Lake Champlain. — Once a lighthouse, now a monument.

The decision was made to turn the Crown Point Light into a striking monument, a tribute to both the past and the spirit of adventure. Skilled stonemasons meticulously removed the original stone exterior, revealing the elegant brick spiral staircase that had long been hidden beneath.

In a breathtaking display of craftsmanship, workers constructed a new tower that elegantly encases the staircase.

This modern marvel features a graceful tapered base adorned with a ring of eight majestic Doric columns that stand as sentinels of time.

The finishing touches include an intricately carved cornice and parapet, culminating in a stunning lantern that crowns the structure.

Today, the Crown Point Light is not just a functional lighthouse but a symbol of heritage, inviting visitors to journey through time and explore the region's rich history.

A bronze bust by renowned sculptor Auguste Rodin adorns the monument.

Facing the water, a statue of Champlain, flanked by a Native American and a French Voyageur, was sculpted by American Carl Auguste Heber.

Crown Point Light includes a bronze bust sculpted by Rodin. — Bronze bust by Rodin.

Below the figures is the bust "LaFrance," an exquisite bronze bust sculpted by the famous Frenchman Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) and spontaneously presented by the French government in May 1912.

Rodin was an art superstar at the time. You may be familiar with his legendary sculptures, “The Thinker” and “The Kiss.”

When the memorial was dedicated on May 3, 1912, the president of the French delegation remarked in two short sentences: "The United States is raising a monument to a Frenchman, and France sends you, through us, her tribute of gratitude. Once more, the two great democracies think and act in unison."

A rededication in 1959.

At the 1959 rededication ceremonies, Congressman John Lindsay's address included the following: "This monument is a noble testimony to the friendship of two great nations and their abiding respect for enduring traditions."

To visit the lighthouse, enter the NYS DEC campground at Crown Point. The circular stone staircase is steep, and the last part is a ladder up to the viewing area. The views from the top of the lighthouse are excellent.