Nicknamed Maid of the Meadows, and located on the Hudson River, near the town Esopus (which took its name from the native Esopus tribe), Esopus Meadows Lighthouse stands on the west side of the channel, in the river, and is accessible only by boat. Its purpose was to warn mariners of the mud flats known as the Esopus Meadows, located off the western shore of the river, and its construction began in 1838, when the land was ceded for $1.00 by the town to the US government. The light became active in 1839, and was a twin to the Roundout II lighthouse further north up the river. By 1867, the building was heavily damaged by flood and ice and funds for a new lighthouse were appropriated in 1870.
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