During the 1820s, increases in maritime traffic over Lake Erie from the newly opened Erie Canal called for a lighthouse to be built overlooking Portland Harbor in western New York. The 40 foot tower was constructed of native fieldstone, and capitalized on an unusual fuel for its light source. Besides its claim to be the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes, this National Historic Landmark was fueled with local natural gas. Local townsfolk of Westfield referred to the natural gas source as a burning spring. The gas was collected in a rock-well and transported to the lighthouse through wooden logs. Occasionally the pipes filled with rain water and cut off the gas supply, prompting the light-keepers to keep a close watch on the light and switching to an oil reserve when necessary.
   A shoreline railroad, built in 1852, cut off a substantial amount of Portland Harbor commerce. ensuring the port would never grow. As port tonnage continued to dwindle, a lighthouse review board voted to decommission the light. The property was sold to George Patterson in 1872. The tower and keeper's quarters stayed with the Patterson Family for 125 years. Still owned privately, natural gas is supplied by Iroquois Gas Company and continues to fuel the lighthouse tradition. With only a change in name, the Barcelona Harbor area and Westfield residents still enjoy this unique lighthouse.

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