Massachusetts - Chatham Lighthouse

This lighthouse is located at Chatham, MA.  Originally, twin octagonal lighthouses were built in 1808 and marked the west side of Chatham Harbor, once a busy open port. Within three decades, lingering moisture had significantly rotted both pyramidal wooden structures, and they were replaced in 1841 by a pair of 30-foot brick towers.

Concerned about the erosion of the nearby cliffs, the government located newer beacons more than a quarter of a mile from the sea. However, the substantial change was not sufficient. By 1870 the edge of the receding embankment was only 230 feet from the interior location; six years later it was within 100 feet. Therefore, in 1877 the Lighthouse Board recognized the station was in jeopardy and approved a second move. Two cast-iron towers were erected even further inland. They were situated 100 feet apart with a new keeper's house built between them. In December 1879, the old south tower toppled off the cliff. Little more than a year later, the old north tower and keeper's dwelling also toppled off.

Early in the 20th century, the government began phasing out twin-light stations in the interest of economy. In 1923, the north tower was moved to North Eastham to replace the sole surviving Three Sisters Lighthouse at Nauset Beach. Then, in 1969 the remaining tower was refitted with an aerobeacon. At the time of my visit to this lighthouse in 2001, this was an active lighthouse. The Fresnel lenses from both lights were exhibited at the Chatham Historical Society's Old Atwood House.