The Falkner Island Lighthouse was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802.
It was constructed and completed by Abisha Woodward in 1802.
Woodward also built New London Harbor Light in 1801 and the Black Rock Harbor Light in 1808.
Falkner Island Lighthouse cost $5977.62 to build, according to the United States government.
The 46 ft (14 m) octagonal tower was made of brownstone lined with brick, and it originally had a spiral wooden staircase that led outside to the lantern room.
This staircase was an unusual and distinguishing characteristic of the Falkner Island Light.
The original fixed light used twelve lamps and reflectors on two stacked tables.
It was replaced in 1840, at a cost of $2842.00, with a lantern that used nine lamps and sixteen-inch reflectors.
A 33 ft (10 m) cast iron spiral staircase was installed in a major renovation in 1871.

Originally, the keeper's house had eight rooms, but it deteriorated and was rebuilt in 1858.
When rebuilt it was one-and-a-half stories high and had three bedrooms, a kitchen, dining and sitting rooms.
Construction quality was poor, allowing snow to enter the house during the winter through gaps in the walls and roof.
In 1871, it was rebuilt by the United States Coast Guard as a three-story house, which remained until it was destroyed by fire on March 15, 1976.
The fire also scorched the adjacent lighthouse.
In the Spring 2002 edition of The Octagon, the keeper's house was said to be a two-story house with eleven rooms.
The Falkner Island Lighthouse was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It was constructed and completed by Abisha Woodward in 1802. Woodward also built New London Harbor Light in 1801 and the Black Rock Harbor Light in 1808. Falkner Island Lighthouse cost $5977.62 to build, according to the United States government. The 46 ft (14 m) octagonal tower was made of brownstone lined with brick, and it originally had a spiral wooden staircase that led outside to the lantern room. This staircase was an unusual and distinguishing characteristic of the Falkner Island Light. The original fixed light used twelve lamps and reflectors on two stacked tables. It was replaced in 1840, at a cost of $2842.00, with a lantern that used nine lamps and sixteen-inch reflectors. A 33 ft (10 m) cast iron spiral staircase was installed in a major renovation in 1871.
Originally, the keeper's house had eight rooms, but it deteriorated and was rebuilt in 1858. When rebuilt it was one-and-a-half stories high and had three bedrooms, a kitchen, dining and sitting rooms. Construction quality was poor, allowing snow to enter the house during the winter through gaps in the walls and roof. In 1871, it was rebuilt by the United States Coast Guard as a three-story house, which remained until it was destroyed by fire on March 15, 1976. The fire also scorched the adjacent lighthouse. In the Spring 2002 edition of The Octagon, the keeper's house was said to be a two-story house with eleven rooms.
Falkner Island Light