In 2012, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark for its significance to New York and international shipping in the early Federal period.

Ezra L'Hommedieu, a lawyer, member of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia,[6] and a man with scientific interests, consulted with Washington on its construction.

"[7] Due to prevailing winds in winter, shippers approaching from sea needed a lighthouse at the end of Long Island to guide them along the south side into New York harbor.

Sometime in early April 1797, keeper Jacob Hand lit the wicks in the lamps in the tower, and the lighthouse began operation.

A fourth-order fixed red range-light was added to the watch deck of the tower in 1903 to warn of Shagwong Reef, a navigational hazard about 31⁄2 miles northwest of the lighthouse.

The casemates, gun emplacements and concrete fire control towers (which are also at nearby Shadmoor State Park) are still visible.

On September 30, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed legislation transferring the lighthouse property to the Montauk Historical Society.

After World War II, the United States Army Corps of Engineers built a seawall at its base, but the erosion continued.

The Coast Guard considered tearing down the lighthouse in 1967 and replacing it with a steel tower farther from the edge of the bluff.

Giorgina Reid, a textile designer, had saved her Rocky Point, New York cottage from collapse by building a simple set of terraces in the gullies of the bluff.

[12][13][dubious – discuss] However, the recurrence of the erosion threat in ensuing years has prompted further action: In November 2006, the United States Army Corps of Engineers' plan to build another seawall was opposed by a local surfing group, who contended that a seawall would ruin the nearby world-renowned surf break.