Haunted History

Dunkirk Lighthouse

The Dunkirk Lighthouse (AKA: Point Gratiot Light) is located at Gratiot Point on Lake Erie in Dunkirk, Chautauqua County, New York. Originally established in 1826, the current lighthouse tower would be first lit on 1875 (the tower and Victorian residence was built throughout 1875-1876.) Bricks from the original light keeper's house were used to build the foundation of this structure.

After moving the old cylindrical tower adjacent to the new structure, the sixty-one foot, square tower would be built around the cylindrical tower. In 1960, this lighthouse became automated and is currently still operational.

The tower structure: The tower is square in shape. The lower third is a natural color while the upper two thirds is painted white. The lantern housing is painted red. The rarity of this lighthouse is the original lens which is still being used!

This lens was installed in 1857 and is a third order Fresnel (pronounced Fraynel) lens. The cost of the lens was $10,000, it was made in Paris, France. There are only seventy such lens still operational in the United States; sixteen of which are along the Great Lakes, only two of which are located in New York State.

History associated with the Dunkirk Lighthouse...

War of 1812: First shot of the war was fired near the west bank of the lighthouse.

World War II: Along with the lighthouse keeper, twelve active duty Coast Guard personnel were stationed at this lighthouse.

Ship Wrecks near the lighthouse....

1893: Steamboat Dean Richmond sinks off the coast near Dunkirk.

Historical facts about Lake Erie....

Lake Erie was the last of the great lakes to be discovered by Europeans. French explorer, Louis Joliet discovered this lake in 1669.

French claims to the lake were ceded to the British as a result of the French-Indian Wars. (1754-1763)

Pier lights at Dunkirk Harbor...

The first two pier lights would collapse under the weight of winter ice.

The third light would be removed in 1939, a skeleton tower would be built to mark the mouth of the harbor.

Shadow Chasers...

The Shadow Chasers are a group of paranormal investigators and research organization founded at the University of Potsdam in 2002. The group is CITI certified social science researchers who follow professional protocols of in-field psychology and anthropology researchers.

This group investigates paranormal activity by documenting regional folklore (this includes reports of haunted sites and/or mysterious creatures. Their goal is to identify the origins of paranormal claims.

Shadow Chasers at Dunkirk Lighthouse....

Upon arriving, the group would learn (and hear) a strange message left on the lighthouse's answering machine. (There was no written indication of what this bizarre message stated). The group contacted the local telephone company only to learn that no incoming telephone call had been reported to the lighthouse at the given date or time; however, there were newspaper reports of a drowning near the lighthouse on the date of the mysterious telephone message. The message was recorded for later analysis.

From here the investigators interviewed staff, listening to their ghost stories. These stories included tales of shadowy figures, hearing footsteps when no one else is around, cold spots and a young boy in period clothing who tugs on guests pant legs.

During the investigations, each member of the group heard noises including loud footsteps and talking.

So, why have we brought this to your attention?

The Dunkirk Lighthouse & grounds is an historic site. A few members decided it was time to investigate ghosts and historic locations...From 7:00 pm on Saturday, October 28 thru 1:00 am, Sunday, October 29; we joined Village Haunts on a ghost hunt at the Dunkirk Lighthouse property....what did we find????

Some felt hings like cats circling their legs, or a tap on the shoulder, sudden urges to burst into tears. Flashlights went on and off by themselves. A few people saw shadowy figures. Finally, a necklace pulled across a woman's hand. Did our brains make our eyes see what they were expected to see? If so, how do the following pictures figure in?