Edgartown MA

On the Eastern side of Martha’s Vineyard lies the quaint area of Edgartown. Its peaceful harbor was once a thriving whaling port. Guiding vessels safely in and out of the harbor, however, proved to be a challenging task, especially at night.

As early as 1816 it is believed that some type of lighted navigational aid was deployed here. The first real lighthouse was established in 1828, on the western side of the inner harbor. This early beacon consisted of a simple tower located in the center of a Cape Cod style lightkeeper’s cottage.

The house and tower gradually deteriorated from constant exposure to the elements. After serving mariners faithfully for 110 years, the old house was struck its final blow by a hurricane in 1938. Because the lighthouse was damaged so badly the Coast Guard assumed possession of the beacon and ordered the lighthouse to be demolished.

A cylindrical cast-iron tower was floated by barge out to Martha’s Vineyard to replace the damaged station. The tower now rests on an octagonal concrete slab, atop a granite block and fills foundation. Unfortunately, over the last twenty years, vandals destroyed the original windows. In 1986 the Vineyard Environmental Research Institute assumed control of the station and has made tremendous effort to restore and maintain this once proud sentinel.

Today, the old tower sports an environmentally-friendly, solar-powered lamp. Flashing its alternating white and red light 170 feet above sea level, this historic light still beckons sailors and fishermen to the “Vineyard.”