The Power of Light in Massachusetts

---

This web page began with a trek to the state of Massachusetts in 2000 and continues to grow with photography from where the wheels could not. It is dedicated to the United States Coast Guard and their power of light in District 1 and our American National Historic Landmarks of Lighthouses owned and operated by the United States Coast Guard currently serving as Active Aids to Navigation and the only operational Light House Station in the State of Massachusetts. This website also applauds Lighthouse Societies, the National Park Service, and Private Lighthouse Owners who continue to keep the light shinning. There are approximately 50 Lighthouses in the State of Massachusetts. Traveling South to North along coastline routes, and in some cases off shore, here are 16 of the Lights in the State of Massachusetts. Permission is not given for any duplication, copying, printing, or other use. This web page is for education purposes only; Wheel Me On… makes no claim to any accuracy or content, and extends our sincerest appreciation to Chris for providing the shots extending this exciting journey.

Julia Hollenbeck

© October 2000; December 2006

	Web www.wheelmeon.org

Note: Wheel Me On... does not warrant Google Sponsor ads will be in ADA compliance or support web page content.

Plymouth (Gurnet) Keepers Quarters

In 1963 a single story ranch style, wood frame Keepers Quarters was built and continues to be used by members of the United States Coast Guard who manage the property adjoining the Plymouth (Gurnet) Lighthouse. This building was possibly originally used as a lifesaving station, in conjunction with or as the Keepers Quarters.

The Plymouth (Gurnet) Station was established in 1768 and an existing historic 34-foot tower remains on the property. Moved to its present location in 1998, this tower is a unique octagonal pyramidal shape made of cedar shingle, is white with a black lantern and red roof. The year the tower was first lit was in 1843, then in 1871 two Fourth Order Fresnel lens began serving as Aids to Navigation until they were replaced in 1986 by a 190MM optic with a focal plane of 102-feet. The original Fourth Order Fresnel Lens is on display at the Hull Lifesaving Museum in Hull, Massachusetts.

This property is listed as one of twelve Colonial Light stations. There is a storage shed attached to the tower of the lighthouse and a cistern at the same site. The Plymouth (Gurnet) Lighthouse is open to the public by reservation and is truly a "must see".

Minots Ledge Light

Fighting fog, snow and ice, the Minots Ledge Light Station was established in 1850 built on a stone ledge with a tower height of 114-feet. The structure made with granite has a conical shape with natural markings and patterns from the granite, perched on Cohasset Rocks.

There was a previous tower to this one. made of pile structure, but it was swept away in 1851. Usage of the foghorn was discontinued in 1947.

Approaching this lighthouse in a winter storm is without a doubt, treacherous at worst, and exciting at best for the US Coast Guard members who serve her.

Ice thickly layered on the tower could easily chill the soul upon approaching and raise thoughts of years past:

At this site, there was once a lightship from 1851 to 1860. The lighthouse us known for being the most "wave-swept" lighthouse, a sentimental favorite for "I love you" light, and a monument dedicated May 21st, 2000 to two assistants killed when the first lighthouse was destroyed is located on Government Island.

Stone from the watch room was taken to Government Island (on shore) and a replica lantern was placed on top.

On Government Island, (in the town of Cohasset), there is a two-story duplex made of wood that serves as the Keepers Quarters. Other structures include an engineering office, oil storage building, a stone wharf, and an Assistant Keepers Dwelling.

The current use of the Minots Ledge Lighthouse is an Active Aid to Navigation, owned and operated by the United States Coast Guard. It is not open to the public.

Long Island Head Light

The Long Island Head Light situated on the Northeast end of Long Island in Boston, was originally referred to as "Inner Harbor Light" and the island occupied by a State Prison Hospital. The station is part of Boston Island National Recreation Area and not opened to the public; it is owned and operated by the United States Coast Guard.

The first tower was built in 1819, constructed with brick and stood 28-feet tall. A cast iron cylindrical tower took nearly forty-years to replace the first with construction between 1844 and 1881. It is painted white, has a black lantern, and one of the unique items is the window glass set within the panes.

The station was established in 1819 and a Fourth Order Fresnel Lens was first lit in 1901 and automated in 1918. The light was deactivated from 1982 to 1985, and then later changed to a 250MM Solar powered optic, which currently serves as an Active Aid to Navigation.

Boston Light Station

In 1716, the Boston Light Station on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor was the first Light Station built in America and on the same land, contained the second tower built in the same year, lit with Tallow Candles making its debut as America's second light tower for the maritime. The British blew up the tower in 1776.

By 1783, an 89-foot tower built on a foundation of a granite ledge and rubble stone with brick lining shaped a conical tower, painted white with a black lantern became the replacement.

In 1859, a Second Order Fresnel Lens with a focal plane of 102-feet replaced the first light and became automated in 1998.

In 1876, a Sound Signal building built of brick with a Vernacular style and the original cannon Fog Horn was set in place. Between 1883 and 1895, experiments on this foghorn were held at this site.

In 1884 a two-story Victorian "stick" style wooden Keepers Quarters were added along with a 20,000-gallon wooden cistern, that still collects rainwater. In 1899 a wooden Boathouse, Brick Oil House, and foundations of the former auxiliary Light were added. Connecting is the original walkway.

In 1939, the United States Coast Guard took over management of the Boston Light and in 1956 electricity was finally available on the island. This is the only United States Station and Lighthouse still manned and operational by the United States Coast Guard and this Historic Landmark is open to the public with permission.

Graves (The) Light

Near the City of Winthrop, on the edge of land strutting out into the bay, The Graves Light stands proud and bold with her 113-feet of height. Located in the Boston North Channel of Massachusetts Bay, this station was established in 1905 and the light, a First Order Fresnel lens, was lit in the same year.

The light was automated in 1976, and in 2001, changed to the present VRB-25 Solar powered optic with a focal plane of 98-feet. The original First Order Fresnel Lens is on display at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.

Built on a granite foundation, the tower was built with granite block, unpainted and in its natural color, with a conical shape and black lantern. The integral architectural style is fascinating, but a storm of 1991 left its mark.

There is a Granite Oil House on the property and Keepers Quarters made in 1905 still serve the United States Coast Guard who own and manage this Active Aid to Navigation. The site is not opened to the public, but is located within the boundaries of Boston Island National Recreation Area.

Visited October 24th, 2000

Over a decade past since visiting this lighthouse, but not from the spot the attendant found allowing eyes to scan across open waters of the harbor. It was not easy to reach the area and the rental car parked below the hill in a parking area, far enough away to make access difficult, but not impossible was a small price to pay. The manual wheelchair was pushed up the road and finally along a narrow path in a park eventually reaching steep steps. Then the willing attendant hauled the wheels up the steps backwards for a view that was all too captivating. It was easily understand why the few people who were there, sat so quietly with thoughts to themselves, and enjoyed the tranquility around them while watching small craft sail by and seagulls fly overhead.

Fort Pickering Light (Winter Island) (1871)
Located on the Southeast point of Winter Island in Salem Harbor

Visited October 24th, 2000

While driving along the coast, we spotted the lighthouse and decided to stop for a quick photo session in the pleasant setting. Later, we learned it was the Fort Pickering Lighthouse and obviously a stop worth making.

Derby Wharf Light
(1871)
Located on the Outer End of the Wharf on the West Side of Salem Harbor

Visited October 25th, 2000

Nearly missing a shot of the Derby Wharf Light was a mistake while seeking accessible places of interest. Perseverance the next day created the above photo and was definitely worth the effort. Across the street from the Derby Wharf Light is the Custom House where Nathaniel Hawthorne worked and nearby is the House of Seven Gables.

Hospital Point Front and Rear Range Lights Front Range Lighthouse (1872)
On the North Side Entrance of Salem Harbor, on the Point of Beverly
Rear Range Light (1927)
Located in the First Baptist Church spire, 2,050 yards West of the front light.

Visited October 26th, 2000

The real search for lighthouses began the day we located Hospital Point Lighthouse and the Range Light. Home to the Commander of the First U.S. Coast Guard District (District 1) since 1947, the scene of this landmark that stood on the edge of the shore was awesome. The 45-foot lighthouse is located at what used to be a smallpox hospital, hence the name "Hospital Point". A mile away from the Range Front Light, a Range Rear Light rests in the steeple of the First Baptist Church. A passerby told explained the church had caught on fire a couple of years before, and miraculously the steeple did not burn.

Ten Pound Island (1821; 1881)
Located on the East side of the entrance to Gloucester Inner Harbor

Visited October 26th, 2000

We found our way back to Highway 127 after leaving Hospital Point Lighthouse and then continued north to the town of Gloucester. Deciding to get off the main road and head down to Eastern Point proved rather interesting as we approached the point and surprisingly caught an excellent view of Ten Pound Island and the Lighthouse. Part of the interesting history of this light includes the sighting of a large sea serpent by Amos Story, who actually became the first keeper of the light in 1833. Continuing to serve as an active aid to navigation, the Ten Pound Lighthouse was restored in 1995.

Cape Ann

Eastern Point (1832; 1890)
Located on the East Side of the Entrance to Gloucester Harbor

Visited October 26th, 2000

Further down the road, and at the end of Eastern Point Boulevard we reached the Eastern Point Lighthouse that serves as a navigational aid for the dangerous Dog Bar Reef with an additional utilitarian light. The property has been operated by the United States Coast Guard since 1993 and is off limits to the public. The bell that served as the fog signal from 1933 until 1969 sits near the front of the property. This bell was cast with gold dust sprinkled in the mold to obtain the proper tone. The light structure itself was difficult to photograph with a skeletal tower next to it. A large United States Coast Guard sign clearly marked the property but in the years ahead, photography was obtained of many structures unseen during the visit in 2000.

Eastern Point Light

Established in 1832, on the East side of the Gloucester Harbor entrance, a white brick tower made of brick was constructed on top of a stone foundation, but the conical tower with a black lantern and red roof was not lit until 1890 after a Fourth Order Fresnel lens was installed in 1857. The tower stood 36-feet in height. A two-story Gothic Revival duplex made of wood became the Keepers Quarters built in 1879, an Oil House added in 1894, and a shed and Assistant Keepers Quarters were added in 1908. This energetic site included a covered passageway "Dog Bar" breakwater in 1905 and a Radio Beacon in 1931. In 1951, a Sound Signal building with a "bell tower" style to hold the original bell and horn was constructed. In 1994, the original optic was replaced with a DCB-24 that has a focal plane of 57-feet. The original Fourth Order Fresnel Lens is on display at Cape Ann Historical Association Museum in Gloucester. This site remains an Active Aid to Navigation and the Keepers Quarters are used as housing for the US Coast Guard who manages the site. (Artist Winslow Homer lived at Eastern Point in 1880.)

It took eight years to build the 2,250-foot breakwater (1894-1902) where the Gloucester Breakwater Light marks the dangerous Dog Bar Reef. The Gloucester Breakwater Light works in conjunction with Eastern Point Lighthouse at the opposite end of the breakwater. Early Keepers of Eastern Point Light were responsible for maintaining both lights, but today the United States Coast Guard serves both sites.

Both Eastern Point Light and Gloucester Harbor light can be seen from the breakwater and beach, south of Gloucester on East Main Street, by passing the Rocky Neck Art Colony area and looking for signs to Eastern Point. Years later, it was learned this site can apparently be visited by making arrangements or traveling along the breakwater to achieve seeing both lights.

(Cape Ann) Thacher Island Lights (1771: 1861)
Located on Thacher island, off the coast of Cape Ann

Visited October 26th, 2000

Driving around in circles for a while did not provide a good vantage point for photography of Thacher Island Twin Lighthouses. The search started getting a little exasperating for the driver as he said, "One last time" and rounded the next turn and another bend along the coast. Suddenly, the island was spotted along with a perfect setting, and convincing the driver to "back up, move forward, back up", to obtain this photo was worth it. At the edge of the road in between two houses and a hedge, a flagpole waving Old Glory was located on one of the properties. The object was to center the flag in-between the Thacher Island Twin Lighthouses and capturing our United States flag proudly waving seemed only natural. To learn about visiting Thacher Island type in "Thacher Island Twin Lights" on the World Wide Web.

Straitsmouth Island Light (1835; 1896)
Located on the Northeast Point of the island, on the North side of Cape Ann

Visited October 26th, 2000

Finding Bearskin Neck in Rockport Harbor led to photographing Straitsmouth Island Light, but was not an easy project to accomplish, because of getting lost several times in the process. Nonetheless, perseverance prevailed again, and the photo was finally taken. Photography from the passenger side of a rental car was not exactly the same as physically getting out of the vehicle, which resulted with numerous shots that could have been better; however, time was a factor with several miles more to the end of the state line.

Annisquam Harbor Light (1801; 1897)
Located on Wigwam Point, Annisquam River, on the East side of the entrance to the harbor

Visited October 26th, 2000

The sun was starting to drop to the West rapidly by the time we reached Annisquam but determination to complete the search prevailed. The United States Coast Guard Station operated light was located with a picturesque scene in front of the yard and a canoe boat decorating the property found. The area seemed drawn to the stillness of the ocean on a calm day, peaceful, quiet, and very serene. In the years ahead, photography and information obtained from a knowledgeable person made this visit extra special.

Annisquam Station

Annisquam Harbor Station established in 1801at Wigwam Point/Ipswich Bay, in Annisquam, (Exxex County), was built on a stone foundation. The brick cylindrical tower stands 41-feet high with a black lantern containing a Fifth Order Fresnel lens first lit in 1897, automated in 1974 with a Fourth Order Fresnel Lens in 1988, and upgraded to a 190 MM optic with a focal plane of 45-feet.

A wood frame, shingle roof, one and a half story garage is built next to and attached to the tower.

Of the most interesting are the original Fog Horn, Oil House, and Keeper's Quarters presently serving the USCG residence with a walkway. Replaced in 1978, the walkway connects the tower to the shore by an elevated wooden walkway.

This facility is not open to the public, but the light may be seen by following Rt. 127 to Annisquam Village Church, then turning right on Leonard St. and Norwood Heights.

The North Shore

(Plum Island) Newburyport Harbor Light (1783; 1898)
Located on the North end of Plum Island, on the South side of Merrimack River

Visited October 26th, 2000

Realization of being lost souls searching for lighthouses, after making several wrong turns, began to set in as the sun rapidly began to disappear. The same question, "Where's the light?" asked of people until finally deciding the original light had surly been moved because the light was deliberately built on a moveable foundation. The driver decides to take the road west and then north, whether his intuition or not, his plan worked and the light was found perched at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters.

Newburyport Upper Harbor Range Front and Rear Lights

Newburyport (Upper) Harbor Range Front Light (1873)
Located on Baileys Wharf in Newburyport

Newburyport (Upper) Harbor Range Rear Light (1873)
Located 116 yards East Southeast of the outer light.

Visited October 26th, 2000

Darkness of evening fell as downtown Newburyport was approached to see the Harbor Range Lights. Photographs seen earlier did not do justice to the scene before our eyes and it was not exactly a picturesque setting but instead a rather non-descript tall brick building that was next to a restaurant holding the Rear Range Light. The light had been decommissioned and was sold to a private ownership; hence the restaurant. The Front Range Light was difficult to view because it was apparently in an industrial area. The interesting fact was that both lights continued to serve, the beacons shined, and photos of both structures were taken.

Lesson learned, "with any search for lighthouses", one never knows exactly what they might come upon unless a person completes research and indulges in tour books and maps before heading out. In many cases, it is far more interesting, and often quite fun, just to do the search without a map. In other words, find a state coastline road and there will eventually be a lighthouse. Learning about the lighthouse after the fact is sometimes surprising, perhaps exciting, and often just as rewarding as knowing beforehand.

To visit some of these United States Coast Guard properties, go to Lighthouses to Visit for access information.

Interested in Joining a Lighthouse Search?

Send an E-mail with "Lighthouse Search" as the subject!

Sign Our Guestbook

View Our Guestbook

---

---