Name and Location

Fort Pickering Light, also known as Winter Island Light, is located at 50 Winter Island Rd, Salem, MA 01970, USA. It sits on Winter Island, guarding the entrance to Salem Harbor, Massachusetts.

2. Construction and History

The lighthouse was established in 1871 during the post-Civil War maritime boom. It served to guide schooners, brigs, and later steamships into Salem's bustling port. The light has been an active aid to navigation since its inception and remains so today.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a minor "harbor light" tower with dimensions of 8.5 meters (28 feet) above mean high water level. Its construction era is late 19th century, and the exact materials used are undocumented in available sources. The style is functional utilitarian maritime design typical of minor 19th-century aids.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse has a seamark designation of LLNR 10090 and features a flashing white light every 4 seconds (Fl W 4 s). The height of the light above water level is 8.5 meters, and its range is unspecified in current records. The light is fully automated, with no resident keeper since early 20th century.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse stands near a small boat launch, picnic areas, and walking trails. Visitors can access the site by vehicle or bicycle via Winter Island Road. There is limited parking on-site, and visitors are free to explore the surrounding area from sunrise to sunset.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

Winter Island features salt marshes, viewpoints over Salem Harbor, and the remains of Fort Pickering (17th-19th centuries). The lighthouse stands near a small boat launch, picnic areas, and walking trails.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

8. Technical and Operational Details

The light has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since April 14, 1994 (NRHP Reference No. 94000335; Criteria A & C). It is managed by the Town of Salem under a public-access park arrangement.

9. Further Information

For further reading, please refer to the Massachusetts Office of Geographic and Environmental Information, the MACRIS Inventory Record, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places database, or Wikipedia.