Clarks Point Light facts for kids
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| the 1818 tower | |
 Clarks Point Light
Location in Massachusetts
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| Coordinates | 41°35′35.44″N 70°54′4.86″W / 41.5931778°N 70.9013500°W |
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| Year first constructed | 1797 |
| Year first lit | 1869 (current tower) |
| Automated | 2001 |
| Deactivated | 1898-2001 |
| Foundation | Stone |
| Construction | Stone and wood |
| Tower shape | Short cylindrical tower on stone and wood rectangular building on granite fort |
| Markings / pattern | White with black lantern |
| Focal height | 68 feet (21 m) |
| Current lens | 9.8 inches (250 mm) |
| Range | 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fixed White |
| Fog signal | none |
| ARLHS number | USA-174 |
| USCG number | 1-16795 |
The Clarks Point Light is a historic lighthouse found in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It helps ships find their way. The first lighthouse here was made of wood. It was built in 1797. Later, a stronger stone tower replaced it in 1804. This lighthouse was then moved to the top of Fort Rodman. It stopped working in 1898. But after being fixed up in the 1970s, the city turned its light back on in 2001. Now, it helps guide boats as a private light.
Contents
History of Clarks Point Light
Early Lighthouse Buildings
The very first lighthouse at Clarks Point was built in 1797. Local business owners paid for it. At that time, New Bedford was a busy center for the whaling industry. Whaling meant hunting whales for their oil and other products.
This first lighthouse was made of wood. Sadly, it burned down after only one year. Another wooden tower was built soon after. It was lit in 1799. This second tower was given to the United States government in 1800. It lasted a bit longer but was destroyed by lightning in 1803.
The Stone Tower and Upgrades
In 1804, a new stone tower was built. It was about 38 feet (12 m) tall. This tower was made even taller in 1818. Over the years, the lighthouse got better lamps and a new eight-sided lantern. A home for the lighthouse keeper was not built until 1842.
Lighthouse Moves to Fort Rodman
Starting in 1857, a large fort called Fort Taber (also known as Fort Rodman) was built next to the lighthouse. This fort was meant to protect the harbor. After the Civil War, the fort was not as important. Its construction stopped in 1871.
The fort's tall walls blocked the lighthouse beam from some directions. So, a new lighthouse was built right on top of the fort. This new light was a small wooden building. Its lantern sat on a sloped roof. Special frames were made to protect the lantern if the fort's cannons were fired. However, the cannons were never used.
The old stone lighthouse was no longer needed. It was torn down in 1906. By 1898, another lighthouse, the Butler Flats Light, was built closer to the main shipping channel. The Clarks Point Light on the fort was then turned off. Its keeper moved to the new Butler Flats Light.
Restoration and Relighting
The small lighthouse building stayed on top of Fort Rodman. In the early 1970s, it was fixed up along with the fort. But sadly, vandals damaged it badly.
In the late 1990s, the city of New Bedford cleaned up the area around the fort. They made it into a park. In 2001, the Clarks Point Lighthouse was rebuilt and lit up again. Two other lighthouses were also relit at that time. Today, the Clarks Point Light still shines. It helps guide ships as a private aid to navigation.
