Everyone is familiar with the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of the promise of America, but few are probably aware that, for a few years early in its existence, it was also officially a lighthouse operated under the authority of the Lighthouse Board. The lighted torch in Lady Liberty’s right hand had, and still has great symbolic significance, but at its beginning, it was also used as a navigational aid for ships entering New York Harbor. The Statue of Liberty was operational as a lighthouse from November 22, 1886, to March 1, 1902, when the Statue of Liberty was discontinued as an aid to navigation. The War Department kept authority over the statue until 1932, when the National Park Service assumed control and over the years transformed the statue into the well-run tourist attraction that it is today.

Source: Lighthouse Friends