Ledge Lighthouse
This historic offshore lighthouse may be forever haunted by ‘Ernie,’ a long lost light keeper
Paranormal Reports at
Ledge Lighthouse
- Light keepers would often claim that blankets would be pulled off of their bed in the night
- Strange, unexplained sounds are reported around the lighthouse
- TVs in the lighthouse would often be turned on and off by unseen forces
- Doors in the lighthouse are known for opening and closing without known cause
- An apparition in a rain hat has been spotted
- The fog horn has been activated for no known reason
- Boats tethered to the lighthouse are sometimes be set adrift by the lighthouse ghost
Alone at Sea: History of Ledge Light
Before automation, lighthouse keeping was the loneliest work available. Long shifts, harsh weather, and remote locations meant keepers often had only themselves for company. This was especially true for offshore lighthouses, tiny islands awash with rough seas.
But, at one old offshore lighthouse, keepers could at least have a ghost for company.
Ledge Lighthouse, off the coast of New London, Connecticut, has been rife with ghost stories for generations. Keeper after keeper reported strange occurrences and feelings of not being alone on the little cement island.
Even today, long after the lighthouse was automated, ghostly tales still float around the light tower. And, if lighthouse keeper lore is to be believed, the hauntings of Ledge Lighthouse are all down to just a single spirit.
Timeline of Ledge Lighthouse's History
Swipe or use timeline points to see Ledge Lighthouse through the years
1909
In the early 1900s, the waterways around New London, Connecticut proved quite hazardous. The area had two existing lighthouses. But, neither worked well at directing ships around dangerous ledges near shore. So, in 1909, a new lighthouse was built around the ledges, called Ledge Lighthouse. It was unlike any other light tower in the area. Ledge Light took on a distinctive style, complete with a mansard roof. This was said to be the demand of New London locals. They wanted a more aesthetically pleasing lighthouse off the coast of their homes.
1939
For its first few decades, Ledge Lighthouse served its purpose well. No longer were the underwater ledges around New London a hazard to busy ship traffic. Until the 1930s, civilian light keepers kept constant shifts on the lonely cement island around Ledge Light. But in 1939, the US Coast Guard took over management of the lighthouse. For almost another fifty years, Coast Guard keepers maintained Ledge Lighthouse. They made sure it never stopped directing traffic away from the harbor’s unseen hazards.
1987
Through the latter half of the 20th century, automation swept the US coasts. In 1987, automation arrived at Ledge Lighthouse. By then, Ledge Light was the last manned lighthouse on the Long Island Sound. Automation was a long process for the historic lighthouse, beginning in 1984. But after three years of work, the last lighthouse keepers departed Ledge Lighthouse. With the exception of maintenance visits, Ledge Light has been unmanned ever since. But, that doesn’t mean New London forgot the ever-important navigational aid.
1990
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, Ledge Lighthouse has remained a treasured landmark since then. Today, the lighthouse is owned by the New London Maritime Society, who offer tours throughout the year. And along with being a cornerstone of local history, it has also become a fixture of local lore. Ever since light keepers kept shifts at Ledge Light, the tiny cement island has been home to numerous ghost stories. And it’s thought that though the keepers left decades ago, the ghosts still remain.
Is Ledge Lighthouse Haunted?
From the light’s very first paranormal reports, the tales have all focused on one particularly active ghost: Ernie. Ernie is said to be the ghost of a former lighthouse keeper, or keeper’s assistant, who died while stationed there. Historical records are a bit spotty about Ernie’s true identity, and the ultimate cause of his death.
Some say he was a keeper’s assistant named Ernest, while other tales say ‘Ernie’ was a nickname for another keeper, John Randolph.
Regardless of his true identity, it is said that Ernie took his own life at the lighthouse after a bitter disagreement with his wife.
In some retellings, Ernie threw himself from the top of Ledge Lighthouse. While in others, he slit his own throat with a large knife before toppling over the lighthouse’s edge. And though little is known for sure about Ernie’s past, much more is known about the haunted happenings he creates at Ledge Lighthouse.
Ernie’s Ghostly Antics
Ever since the late 1930s, when the Coast Guard first took over the lighthouse, strange activity has been noted around the building. Keepers were often hounded by strange and unexplainable sounds around the keeper’s quarters. It was as if the desolate lighthouse suddenly got a new visitor.
Along with that, keepers often reported doors around the house and light tower opening and closing by themselves, even in the middle of the night. Overtime, all of these strange events were chalked up to the work of Ernie.
Ledge Light’s Creepy Keeper
It was more than just the occasional noise or creaking door. Ernie’s ghost apparently enjoyed playing more noticeable pranks on Ledge Light’s keepers. Electrical malfunctions were common around the lighthouse, particularly with the televisions. TVs at the lighthouse in the mid-20th century were known for being turned on and off by unseen hands.
Along with that, keepers regularly claimed that they would wake up in the middle of the night to the feeling of their blankets being yanked off the bed. In each case, there was never anyone in the room with them when they turned on the light. It seemed that Ernie just wanted to do something to get their attention.
Spot the Lighthouse Apparition
While he has always been known as a bit of a prankster, few keepers or visitors have ever reported encountering Ernie’s apparition. But, there is one exception to this. In one keeper’s tale, they ran into the tall, bearded, shadowy figure of a man in the main house.
Curiously, this figure appeared to be dressed in a thick oilskin and rain hat, like any other old keepers preparing for foul weather. The figure supposedly disappeared soon after being spotted, and has rarely been seen since. But, if you ever happen to visit Ledge Light for yourself, keep an eye out for a rain hat amongst the crowd. You might just be the next one to spot Ernie’s specter.
Mischievous Spirit in the Haunted Lighthouse
Though most of his antics are said to be harmless, there are times when Ernie’s activities take more serious turns. Along with strange noises inside, Ernie’s ghost has been known to trigger the lighthouse’s fog horn. Aside from being loud and quite startling to former keepers, Ernie’s fog horning can leave passing ships confused by the odd activity.
But perhaps the most serious claim of all, is that Ernie has always liked to untie boats.
Being almost a mile off shore, Ledge Light is only accessible, and escapable, via boat. But, several times over the years, keepers stepped outside to find their only boat untethered and drifting away.
In each case, keepers distinctly recalled securing their vessel. And yet, someone, or something, would undo their knots and send their boats floating off towards New London Harbor.
Long Lasting Legends at Ledge Lighthouse
Ernie’s long-standing ghost stories have helped make Ledge Lighthouse a tourist attraction in New London today. Even though it is far off from the Connecticut shore, that doesn’t seem to keep many interested visitors at bay.
Through the New London Maritime Society, the lighthouse is often abuzz with activity from tourists as well as ghost hunters.
While you can’t book a formal ghost hunt at the lighthouse, you can certainly charter a trip out to it through the Maritime Society. On any tour through the space, there’s no telling what you might encounter.
Maybe you might spot a door opening or closing by itself, or even hear one of the mysterious sounds the keeper’s house is known for. And perhaps, on your visit to the lonely lighthouse, you can make friends with old Ernie. Just don’t let him set your boat adrift while you’re there!
