The first lighthouse was a high tower established in 1806, which was replaced by the current conical tower and a second order
Fresnel lens in 1869. The lighthouse was automated in 1978 and is still operational. The foundation is a
granite pier and the construction material is granite. In 1813, the light was extinguished by a group of
Royal Marines in a raid led by
Commodore Thomas Hardy during the
War of 1812. spent time questioning witnesses and others who might have heard the signal, and tested the signal at various locations around Little Gull Island. He concluded that the fog signal was operational during the time as the signal was heard at
Mystic, Connecticut and by a tug boat that was farther away than the
Galatea, and that the aberrations and eccentricities around Little Gull were even more significant than around
Beavertail Lighthouse where sound tests were run later in 1881. The
United States Coast Guard has designated Little Gull Island Light as an Historic Light Stations in New York. In 2009 Little Gull Island Light was put up for sale under the
National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. Eight bids up to $381,000 were received. The sale for $381,000 broke the record for the highest bid received to that date under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. Little Gull Island Light is shown on the NOAA Chart 12354 ==In popular culture==