Lake Ontario

In 2009 the City of Oswego, New York, acquired the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse under the provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act Of 2000. Restoration work has begun using seed grant from the New York State Canal Corporation under management Of the city's Oswego Lighthouse Development Committee in partnership with the H. Lee White Marine Museum of Oswego.

The Port of Genesee was established by President Thomas Jefferson in 1804. The port district stretched approximately 70 miles along Lake Ontario's south shore, from Oak Orchard to Sodus Bay, New York. The port's center was where the north flowing Genesee River met Lake Ontario, a marshy bay guarded by two sand bars. President Jefferson appointed Samuel Latta to be Collector of Customs. In the first year he gathered $22.50 in revenue compared to expenses of $24.00. From that small beginning, the port would grow to be one of the busiest on the south shore of Lake Ontario.

Willard E. Cook, a disabled soldier of the 94 Reg., New York Volunteers lost a right arm at 2nd battle of Bull Run Aug. 30, 1862. Appointed lighthouse keeper at this station Apr., 1870. Born July 30, 1823 in the town of Ellisburgh, County of Jefferson, state of New York.