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      • Cape Poge Lighthouse, Massachusetts
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      • Bass River Lighthouse, Massachusetts
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      • Annisquam Lighthouse, Massachusetts
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Great Point Lighthouse, Nantucket, Massachusetts

By the late 1700's Nantucket had become the whaling capital of the world. The beach overlooking the northern tip of the island was one of the busiest passages on the East coast. The effort to erect a tower for shipping needs was delayed by the advent of the Revolutionary War. Shortly afterwards, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts undertook the building of the Great Point Lighthouse.
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When the CG proposed erecting a skeleton tower in its place, Nantucket islanders enlisted the help of Senator Edward Kennedy. Kennedy secured $2 million in funding to rebuild the lighthouse.
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When the CG proposed erecting a skeleton tower in its place, Nantucket islanders enlisted the help of Senator Edward Kennedy. Kennedy secured $2 million in funding to rebuild the lighthouse.

GreatPointLighthouse005

  • Located on a thin spit of beach where the currents of the Atlantic Ocean and Nantucket Sound meet, the Great Point Lighthouse on Nantucket was first built in 1784. The original tower was made of wood. Since there was no dwelling built for the Keeper, he had to travel 7 miles over the dunes to the lighthouse each day.
  • In 1789 as part of the establishment of the Federal government under the US Constitution, the lighthouse was deeded to the Federal government. Eventually a keepers residence was built at the light, making life for the Keeper a bit more bearable. However, the home burned down in a fire in 1812. The Keeper once again was forced to make the long trek to the light.
  • **View from the Tower** In 1816 a suspicious fire destroyed the original wooden lighthouse. Due to the lights important location, Congress immediately appropriated $7500 to replace the tower.
  • A new 60 foot stone white washed tower was completed in 1818. The new light was exhibited from 14 oil lamps visible for 11 miles. The new keepers dwelling was not completed until 1825. A home for the assitant keeper was also built.
  • In 1857 as part of the Lighthouse Board's effort to improve the nation’s lights, the lantern received a Third Order Fresnel lens, the inside of the tower was lined with brick and an iron staircase was installed.
  • Even with the improved lighting apparatus, shipwrecks continued as the Great Point Light was confused with the Pollack Rip and Handkerchief Lightships. A red sector was added to the Great Point Light to address this issue.
  • In the 1950's the Great Point Lighthouse was automated and its personnel removed. The keepers residence was boarded up and left to the elements.
  • In October 1966, a suspicious fire burned the keeper's residence to the ground leaving the tower alone on the lighthouse station.
  • In 1971, the Fresnel lens was removed from the lantern and was replaced with a modern solar powered optic. The third-order Fresnel lens is now on display on the grounds of the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum .
  • Erosion continued to eat away at the land surrounding the lighthouse and pleas to move the tower were ignored by the Coast Guard. Eventually on March 29, 1984 a storm destroyed the 1818 tower leaving behind a pile of rubble.
  • When the CG proposed erecting a skeleton tower in its place, Nantucket islanders enlisted the help of Senator Edward Kennedy. Kennedy secured $2 million in funding to rebuild the lighthouse.
  • A concrete and plastic replica of the 1818 tower was built 300 feet from the original location. An important addition were solar panels built into the wall of the lighthouse to provide power. On September 7, 1986 Senator Kennedy christened the new tower with a bottle of champagne.
  • A plaque located inside the new tower states "The Egyptians built their pyramids, the Cape and Islanders build their lighthouses. We trust this lasts as long."
  • Access to the site today is provided by the Trustees of the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/cape-cod-islands/coskata-coatue.html. They provide natural history tours of the refuge and include a tour of the lighthouse.
  • An old Detriot Publishing postcard view of the Great Point Light Station. I was able to acquire a bunch of these from an old store on Steamboat Wharf.
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