Built in 1891 and moved to its present location in 1919, it was instrumental in the development of the city's inner harbor as a transshipment point, Connecticut rail and water freight transport systems.

[3] The Tongue Point Light stands on a projection on the boundary between Bridgeport's inner and outer harbor areas, just east of a power station.

The lighthouse is a conical cast iron structure with a 12-foot (3.7 m) diameter at the base, rising 22 feet (6.7 m) to the lantern deck.

[4] During Bridgeport's industrial growth of the late 19th century, several projects were undertaken to improve access for water-borne freight.

In the 1870s the main channel to the downtown port area was widened, and in 1891 a breakwater was extending from Tongue Point to provide additional shelter.