As part of an unsuccessful proposal to assume ownership of the lighthouse, the Town of Fairfield, CT prepared a condition report in 2011 for the structure.

The lighthouse foundation, structure and roofs were in good condition, according to the report, but the walkway around the lantern was in need of repairs.

Other problems included asbestos tiles on the floor, lead paint on the walls, mold in some areas and decaying brick and mortar work in the basement.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy severely damaged and flooded the lighthouse, displacing windows, doors, siding and roofing.

Penfield Reef is one of several lighthouses built in the Second Empire style, with a wood frame tower integrated into the keeper's dwelling.

Lighthouse Keeper Frederick A. Jordan (sometimes spelled Jordon) rowed a dory for the mainland, to join his family for Christmas.

Assistant Keeper Rudolph Iten said he was unable to launch a boat against a strong wind and an outgoing tide, and so he could only witness Jordan's disappearance into the water.

[7] Environmental psychologists theorize that older, secluded buildings like the Penfield Reef Lighthouse are more likely to be perceived to be haunted.

[10] Jeremy D'Entremont, author of The Lighthouses of Connecticut, said that since Iten had tried to save the man, the new keeper would be unlikely to make light of Jordan's death by fabricating a ghost tale.

[10] In 1969, the Coast Guard announced it would replace the lighthouse with a steel tower, but a public outcry led by then U.S. Reps. Lowell Weicker and Stewart B. McKinney persuaded the agency to back off.

[11] On July 29, 2008, Beacon Preservation, Inc. ([3]) received notice from Dr. Janet Snyder Matthews, associate director of Cultural Resources for National Park Service, informing Beacon that it had submitted a "superior" application for Penfield Reef Light and had been recommended as the new owners of Penfield.