Two Staten Island Majestic Maritime Beauties at Auction

West Bank Lighthouse, Ambrose Channel / Lower NY Bay

Ever dreamed of living along a rugged oceanic coast, left peacefully removed from neighbors but for the gulls, yet still able to come to the big city when you wish? Are you in the market for a retreat complete with round rooms and majestic 360-degree views of New York Harbor? The U.S. General Services Administration has two lighthouses that might just suit your fantasy.

The Staten Island Advance reported yesterday that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the federal government's property ownership/management agency, has put two surplus lighthouses on Staten Island up for auction. Old Orchard Shoal Lighthouse (top) and West Bank Lighthouse (below) are both open for bidding.  The opening bid, which enables a tour on September 1, is $20,000.

Old Orchard Shoal Lighthouse, Gedney Channel / Lower NY Bay

Surplus lighthouses pose a special problem for the federal government - they're expensive to maintain and operate, and many are landmarked.  If a surplus property listed (or eligible for listing) in the National Register of Historic Places, as both lighthouses are, the National Park Service offers these properties to state, county or local governments at no cost through the Historic Surplus Property Program. The objective is to put these buildings into productive public use, and are often leased to local nonprofit groups, while protecting their historic integrity.  If there are no takers, the property can be auctioned by the General Services Administration, which is what's happening with the Old Orchard Shoal and West Bank Lights.

Old Orchard Shoal Light, was built of cast iron and first lit in 1893 to protect ships from hitting the rocky shoals of Lower New York Bay.  Below its octagonal lantern is an observation room, and the keepers's quarters are roughly 1000 square feet.  The West Bank, or Range Front, Light was built on a man-made island and was first lit in 1901, and boasts a 100 foot breakwater.  Both properties are only accessible by boat. (How exclusive!)

Lest you fret about sailors busting up along the rocky shores of Staten Island, know that the lights are automated and will remain operational. And if you're the new owners of one of these lights, the U.S. Coast Guard will still come by to do maintenance (think of them as the super for the light).

Bid info here:
GSA Old Orchard Shoal Light auction website
GSA West Bank Light auction website

Both images are U.S. Coast Guard Photos found here.