Nauset Light facts for kids
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| Nauset Light, oil house and lightkeeper's home | |
 Nauset Beach Light
Location in Cape Cod
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| Location | Nauset Beach, Eastham, Massachusetts |
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| Coordinates | 41°51′36.5″N 69°57′10.6″W / 41.860139°N 69.952944°W |
| Year first constructed | 1838 |
| Year first lit | 1877 (current tower in Chatham) 1923 (current tower here) |
| Automated | 1955 |
| Deactivated | 1996-97 now a private aid |
| Foundation | Concrete |
| Construction | Cast iron with brick lining |
| Tower shape | Conical |
| Markings / pattern | Upper red, lower white with black lantern |
| Height | 48 feet (15 m) |
| Focal height | 120 feet (37 m) |
| Original lens | 4th order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | Carlisle & Finch DB-224 |
| Range | White 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi), Red 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) |
| Characteristic | Alt white and red 10s |
| Fog signal | none |
| Admiralty number | J0396 |
| ARLHS number | USA-529 |
| USCG number | 1-510.1 |
The Nauset Light, also known as Nauset Beach Light, is a famous lighthouse located on the Cape Cod National Seashore. It stands near Eastham, Massachusetts. This lighthouse was built in 1923. However, the tower itself is older, dating back to 1877. It was moved here from another lighthouse in Chatham.
Nauset Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tower is made of strong cast-iron plates with a brick lining inside. It stands about 48 feet (15 meters) tall. Next to the lighthouse is a small brick building called an oil house. This is where fuel for the light was stored a long time ago. Both the tower and the oil house have been carefully restored.
Today, the lighthouse works all by itself, automatically. It helps boats find their way safely. You can visit the Nauset Light and the oil house during the summer. The Nauset Light Preservation Society takes care of the site. They also offer tours and share its history.
Contents
History of Nauset Light
The tower that became Nauset Light was first built in 1877. It was one of two lighthouses in Chatham. In 1923, this tower was moved to Eastham. It replaced three smaller wooden lighthouses called the Three Sisters of Nauset. These older lighthouses were no longer needed. They have since been moved to a field about 1,000 feet (300 meters) west of Nauset Light.
When it was first moved, Nauset Light was completely white. But in the 1940s, the top part of the tower was painted red. This gave it the unique look it has today.
Changes to the Light and Automation
In 1955, the lighthouse became automated. This means it no longer needed a keeper to operate it. The house where the lighthouse keeper lived was sold. The original special lens, called a Fresnel lens, was taken out in 1981. It was replaced with modern lights called aerobeacons. You can see the old Fresnel lens on display at the Salt Pond Visitor Center. In 2008, the old light bulbs in the aerobeacons were updated with new, brighter ones.
Moving the Lighthouse to Safety
By the early 1990s, the ocean was eroding the land. Nauset Light was getting very close to the edge of the cliff. It was less than 50 feet (15 meters) away. In 1993, the Coast Guard thought about shutting down the light. But many people wanted to save it. So, a group called the Nauset Light Preservation Society was formed.
In 1995, this society leased the lighthouse from the Coast Guard. They planned to move both the tower and the oil house. In November 1996, they successfully moved them. The lighthouse was placed 336 feet (102 meters) west of its old spot. This new location was much safer from the eroding cliff. The same company that moved the larger Highland Light helped with this big project.
The Nauset Light was lit again on May 10, 1997. During a special ceremony, the Coast Guard gave ownership of the lighthouse to the National Park Service. However, the Nauset Light Preservation Society took over running it.
In 1998, the person who owned the keeper's house since 1955 decided to donate it. She gave it to the National Park Service. She was allowed to live in it for 25 more years. The house was also moved from its original spot. It was only 23 feet (7 meters) from the cliff's edge. It was moved to a new, safe place near the lighthouse.
Lighthouse Keepers at Nauset Light
After the tower moved to Eastham in 1923, several people worked as lighthouse keepers. They were responsible for keeping the light burning and helping ships.
- George I. Herbolt (1923–1932)
- John Poyner (1932)
- Allison G. Haskins (1932–1938)
- Fred S. Vidler (1938–1942)
- Eugene L. Coleman (1942–1950 or 1952)
Nauset Light Today
Since May 24, 2004, the Nauset Light Preservation Society has worked with the National Park Service. The National Park Service owns the light. The Society helps run it as a private aid to navigation. They pay for all the costs of the site. They do this by selling memberships and getting donations.
Visitors can take tours of the lighthouse and the oil house. These tours are offered on Sundays from May to late October. You can also visit on Wednesdays during July and August.
The Nauset Light is a very recognizable symbol. It is the logo for Cape Cod Potato Chips. It also appears on a special "Cape Cod & Islands" license plate. This license plate was first made in 1996. Money from these plates helps local areas and organizations. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Images for kids
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Full Nauset Lighthouse
