Race Point Light is a historic lighthouse on Cape Cod, in Provincetown, Massachusetts; it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The original tower, first illuminated in 1816, was replaced in 1876 with the current 45-foot tall iron-plated tower and a new keeper's dwelling. The American Lighthouse Foundation operates the property and rents out two buildings for overnight stays. The actual light is maintained by the Coast Guard. The site is reached by walking about 45 minutes over sand; with a National Park Service Oversand Permit, a four-wheel-drive vehicle can be used.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
 The lighthouse gets a fresh coat of paint in 2012 | |
 | |
| Location | Cape Cod |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°3′44.4″N 70°14′34.9″W / 42.062333°N 70.243028°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1816 |
| Foundation | Natural/emplaced |
| Construction | Iron plate with brick interior |
| Automated | 1972 |
| Height | 45 feet (14 m) |
| Shape | Conical |
| Markings | White with black lantern |
| Heritage | National Register of Historic Places listed place  |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1876 (current structure) |
| Focal height | 41 feet (12 m) above mean sea level |
| Lens | Fourth-order Fresnel lens (original), LED lens (current) |
| Range | 16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s |
Race Point Light Station | |
 1911 postcard | |
  | |
| Location | Race Point Beach, Provincetown, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates | 42°3′44.4″N 70°14′41″W / 42.062333°N 70.24472°W |
| Area | 10 acres ceded to US Government by the Commonwealth of MA 1816 |
| Built | 1876 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| MPS | Lighthouses of Massachusetts TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001482[1] |
| Added to NRHP | June 15, 1987 |
History
edit
Race Point Light was first established in 1816, the third light on Cape Cod (after Highland Light (1797) and Chatham Light (1808). The original light was a 25 feet (7.6 m) rubblestone tower that featured one of the earliest rotating beacons, which distinguished it from others on Cape Cod. In 1858 the light got a fourth order Fresnel lens and, in 1874, a second keeper's quarters.
In 1876, after significant deterioration of the original tower, it was replaced with a 45-foot tall cast iron tower lined with brick. The Fresnel lens was installed into the new tower. The original keeper's stone house was removed and replaced with one made of wood. Race Point Light was electrified in 1957. The larger keeper's house was removed in 1960 and the other was updated.[5] The light was automated in 1972.[2]
In 1995 the group updated the keeper's house and began offering rooms for overnight stays in 1998. A solar electrical system was installed in October 2003, and a wind turbine back-up generator was added in 2007. The light now uses a solar-powered VRB-25 optic with 400,000 candlepower, operated by the Coast Guard.[2] Operation of the site is by the American Lighthouse Foundation. Tours are available on the first and third Saturdays from June until October.[3] Both the Keeper's House and the Whistle House are available for overnight rental.[7]
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Race Point Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Race Point Light Station on June 15, 1987, reference number 87001482.[1]
Light keepers
editThe following keepers maintained the light over the years, some for a surprisingly short time. Several had been assistant keepers for years prior to their promotion to head keeper.[2]
- Joshua Dyer (1816 – 1822)
- Elijah Dyer (1822 – 1847)
- Lemuel Cook (1847 – 1853)
- Waterman Crocker (1853 – 1861)
- Josiah Ghenn (1861 – 1870)
- James Cushman (1870 – 1885)
- Thomas V. Mullins (1885 – 1892)
- Charles A. Havender (1892 – 1904)
- Samuel S. Smith (1904 – 1909)
- Roscoe G. Lopaus (1909)
- Waldo Leighton (1909 – 1915)
- William H. Lowther (1915 – 1935)
- James W. Hinckley (1935 – 1937)
- Javan D. York (1938 – 1942)
- Theodore M. Koswoski (1944)
- James O’Brien (1944)
- Joseph L. Collette (1944)
- Osborne E. Hallett (1945 – 1955)
- Elias J. Martinez (1955 – 1956)
- Gottfried Schiffers (1956 – 1958)
- Elias J. Martinez (1958 – 1959)
- Aubrey T. Griggs (1959 – 1960)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Race Point Lighthouse".
- ^ a b "Race Point Light Station on Outer Cape Cod | Operated by the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation". Racepointlighthouse.org. 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
- ^ "Cape Cod National Seashore - Cape Cod National Seashore Oversand Beach Driving (U.S. National Park Service)". Archived from the original on 2009-04-27.
- ^ a b "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Massachusetts". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. 2009-09-07. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
- ^ United States Coast Guard (2009). Light List, Volume I, Atlantic Coast, St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey. p. 6.
- ^ a b Rowlett, Russ (2009-09-07). "Lighthouses of the United States: Southeast Massachusetts". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
External links
edit- Race Point Lighthouse, official website, with online reservations
- Race Point Light Station – National Park Service website Archived 2007-06-10 at the Wayback Machine, featured in Maritime History of Massachusetts — A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary