Massachusetts - Hyannis Lighthouse

The Hyannis Lighthouse is located at Hyannis, MA. It began and ended as a privately owned lighthouse. Early in the 19th century, Daniel Snow Hallett built and operated a primitive light as an aid to the many commercial craft using the well-protected Hyannis Harbor. The arrangement was little more than a lamp reflector shone from the loft of a small waterfront shanty. Hallett was later named the first light keeper of the government's own harbor light, which it authorized in 1848 and placed in service the following spring. The Locals quickly dubbed the structure "Bug Light," because the conical stone tower stood less than 20 feet high.

In 1885, the beacon became part of the Hyannis Range Light system. A second signal was installed atop a small frame shed. Both of these lights showed fixed red lights and formed a navigational range for vessels inside a breakwater. As the former business of Hyannis Harbor subsided into the 20th century, the need for Hyannis Light diminished, and the station was discontinued in 1929. The lantern was removed, and the tower capped. It was later declared surplus property, and the buildings and land were sold at auction for the unique price of $7,777.77. Prior to my visit here in 2001, the present owners had created an enlarged version of the old lantern room, which they use as a sitting room, atop the well-kept tower,