Sandy Neck Light
373 Sandy Nck Rd, West Barnstable, MA 02668, USA
Name and Location
Sandy Neck Light is a small, deactivated lighthouse situated on the west side of Barnstable Harbor in West Barnstable, Massachusetts. Its official address is 373 Sandy Nck Rd, West Barnstable (neighborhood), Town of Barnstable, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 02668, USA.
Coordinates:
41.7226492 N, 70.2809248 W
Plus Code: PPF9+3J Barnstable, MA, USA
Construction and History
The exact construction date of Sandy Neck Light is unknown, with no surviving contemporary records. It was officially deactivated in 1931. Originally built to guide coastal and harbor traffic entering Barnstable Harbor from Cape Cod Bay, the light station has been privately owned since its deactivation.
Architecture and Materials
The structure of Sandy Neck Light is reported as a “man-made lighthouse.” Although specific records are unavailable, it likely features traditional wood framing common to Cape Cod shore lights of the 19th century. The design and style are presumed vernacular coastal lighthouse design, possibly with a small tower or lantern-house atop a keeper’s dwelling.
Light and Navigation
No information is available on the light characteristic, range, or height.
Accessibility and Visiting
The property is privately owned and not open to the public. Nearest public trails include Marsh Trail (to the north) and Sandy Neck Road. The lighthouse site overlooks tidal flats, salt marshes, and a barrier-beach ecosystem; migrating shorebirds and common seabirds frequent the area.
Notable Views and Landscape
The landscape surrounding Sandy Neck Light features tidal flats, salt marshes, and a barrier-beach ecosystem, attracting various bird species. The nearest public parking is at the Sandy Neck Beach parking area, several hundred yards east. Nearby attractions include Sandy Neck Beach and Barnstable Harbor sailing and bird-watching.
Anecdotes and Folklore
No specific local legends or keeper stories have been documented in publicly available sources. Given its deactivation nearly a century ago, oral history may persist among long-time Barnstable residents but is not formalized.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is no longer charted as an active light and is referred to historically in early Coast Guard and U.S. Lighthouse Board publications. There are no installations at this privately owned station for Automatic Identification System (AIS) or radar.
Further Information
- * MassGIS Lighthouse Inventory – “Sandy Neck Light,” node/257496067, Office of Geographic and Environmental Information, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; source: http://mass.gov/mgis/lighthouses.htm
- * Wikidata entry Q7417388
- * Barnstable Historical Society archives (for potential unpublished manuscripts)
- * U.S. Coast Guard Light List (historical editions, pre-1931)
Details
| Name | Sandy Neck Light |
|---|---|
| City | West Barnstable |
| Country | Usa |
| Coordinates | 41.7226492, -70.2809248 |
| Architectural style | vernacular coastal lighthouse design |
| Construction material | "traditional wood framing" |
| Renovations | no longer serves as an aid to navigation |
| Accessible | false |
| Landscape type | coastal dunes, salt marshes and sandy beaches |
| View description | tidal flats, salt marsh and a barrier-beach ecosystem |
| Nearby attractions | ["Sandy Neck Beach","Barnstable Harbor sailing and bird-watching"] |
| AIS Radar | false |
| Automated | false |