Annisquam Harbor MA

Annisquam is believed to be a combination of “squam” a local Indian word meaning harbor and “Ann” from Cape Ann.

Founded in 1631, Annisquam Village grew into a fishing and ship building center that competed with Gloucester and Nantucket.

The Annisquam River is an estuary that is open at both ends into the Atlantic Ocean and separates both Gloucester and Cape Ann from the mainland. The northern end of the river opens into Ipswich Bay, and the southern end connects to Gloucester Harbor via the Blynman Canal. This unique position has made it a safe haven for mariners.

In April 1800, the United States Congress made the appropriation of $2,000 for a Lighthouse to be built on Wigwam Point, the summer gathering place of the local Indians.

The original Annisquam Light was a 40’ wooden tower with a fixed light, 40’ above the water. The Keeper’s dwelling was a simple two room wooden structure built near the tower. Gloucester native George Day was the first Keeper earning $200.00 annually.

In 1842, a well known civil engineer, I. W. P. Lewis came to inspect the Light which by his time was beginning to crumble due to the elements of the harsh New England weather on the wooden structure. In fact the tower was in such poor condition, “wooden spars” were put in place to keep the tower from falling!

In 1850, a new 40’ octagonal wooden lighthouse tower was built and the original keeper’s house was repaired.

In 1857, a Fifth Order Fresnel Lens replaced the old lamps and reflectors.

Built on the foundation of the original 1800 tower, a third 41-foot cylindrical brick lighthouse tower was built in 1897.

A powerful Fourth Order Lens, powered by electricity replaced the Fifth Order Lens with automation coming in 1922.

Much to the chagrin of summer residents a foghorn was installed in 1931, later it was decided that the foghorn would operate from October 15th -May 15th, allowing summer residents a peaceful sleep. The Fog Signal was always controversial. In 1974 when the US Coast Guard discontinued the use of the signal, signatures from thousands of local fisherman and boaters forced the Coast Guard to install a switch to activate the Fog Signal at the local police station!

In the 1990’s with iron beams rusting and needing replacement, Coast Guard architect Marsha Levy of Civil Engineering Unit Providence was called in to do the design work for the rehabilitation project that included updating of the Keeper’s dwelling.

Today a Coast Guard family lives at this historic light.