Marblehead’s original light station was built in 1835 at
Marblehead, MA. It consisted of a brick tower, only 20 feet tall, and a nearby
keeper's dwelling. Built between the two structures was a 100-foot covered walk. By
1880, multi-story shore-front summer cottages had sprung up around the point. They all but obscured the lighthouse beacon to vessels approaching from the
south. As a remedy, the Lighthouse Board erected a 100-foot mast between the
tower and houses, and rigged it with an auxiliary lantern. Mariners complained
the new arrangement was unsatisfactory.
In 1896, the Board built this square pyramidal iron tower for less than $8,800, instead of spending an estimated $45,000 for a brick tower of the same height. This tower is unlike any other New England lighthouse and stands 130 feet tall. The tower’s brown skeleton-like structure surrounds a central cast-iron cylinder whose 127 step spiral staircase leads up to the black lantern room deck.
In 1896, the Board built this square pyramidal iron tower for less than $8,800, instead of spending an estimated $45,000 for a brick tower of the same height. This tower is unlike any other New England lighthouse and stands 130 feet tall. The tower’s brown skeleton-like structure surrounds a central cast-iron cylinder whose 127 step spiral staircase leads up to the black lantern room deck.
The Coast Guard made preliminary plans in 1948 to do away
with this light station and tear down the tower. Instead, they sold the
structures and its surrounding four acres to a local citizen. He donated everything
to the town of Marblehead. Town officials named the area Chandler Hovey Park after
the donor.
Thanks to Marblehead, MA and their citizen who preserved this lighthouse and part of the town's history.
No comments:
Post a Comment