The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse sits in the middle of the Hudson River between the towns of Hudson and Athens. The lighthouse was constructed in 1874 to warn passing ships of the Middle Ground Flats, skinny silt islands that were completely submerged at high tide. Congress approved around $35,000 for the construction of the lighthouse. Its location in the middle of the river required creative engineering. Almost 200 wooden pilings were driven into the riverbed and a granite pier was built on top. The Second Empire-style lighthouse that sits above was home…
