Plymouth Light

The Plymouth Light is located on Gurnet Point at the entrance to Plymouth Bay in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts.

• The light can only be accessed by passing through the town of Duxbury, which lies to the north.

History

The original lighthouse was built in 1768. It burned down and was rebuilt in 1801 as a single light. In 1842, it was rebuilt again as a pair of lights.

• The light gradually lost importance as Plymouth Harbor silted up and lost most of its traffic.
• However, with the opening of the Cape Cod Canal in 1914, there was a significant increase in vessel traffic past the light.

Architecture

The tower is octagonal and pyramidal, made of white dwelling material. The light is the oldest wooden lighthouse in the United States.

• The light has undergone several upgrades over the years, including the installation of a fourth-order Fresnel lens in 1914.
• The original lens was later moved to the Lifesaving Museum in Hull, Massachusetts.

Light Characteristics

The Plymouth Light emits a white light visible for 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi).

• The red sector, which covers Mary Ann Rocks, is visible for 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi).

Current Status

The light was relocated approximately 140 feet (43 m) to the north in December 1998 due to beach erosion.

• This placement placed it within the earthworks of Fort Andrew.
• The property and the Duxbury Pier Light are both managed by Project Gurnet and Bug Lights, Inc.

Heritage Status

The Plymouth Light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Plymouth Light Station on March 8, 1977.

• The site is also known for being staffed by America's first female lighthouse keeper.

Notable Historical Events

The site is also known for being staffed by America's first female lighthouse keeper.