I took a road trip just to discover lighthouses in New England ports. I saw some a little further south so I included them as well because they were pretty awesome. It was so much fun and I was able to actually find more than I expected.
Lighthouses are used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea. Below are some of the lighthouses that we have been fortunate enough to see.
Nubble Lighthouse
The Nubble Lighthouse, perched atop a rocky outcrop in York Beach, Maine. It stands 88 feet above sea level and began operating in 1879.
Cape Elizabeth Lighthouses - Cape Elizabeth, ME
Two Lights State Park is a publicly owned recreation area named after the twin Cape Elizabeth Lights on Cape Elizabeth. The 41-acre state park opened in 1961 and offers views of Casco Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Originally twin lighthouses, the second has been inactive since 1924. The active light is the most powerful on the New England coast. At least ninety-eight vessels wrecked on the shores of Cape Elizabeth between 1780 and 1990. “These dangerous rocks have an evil repute among sailors,” noted one author in 1895.
Charlotte–Genesee Lighthouse - Rochester, NY
America's Oldest Surviving Lighthouse on Lake Ontario and The Historic Custom House. The tower was constructed in 1822 on a hill just West of the Genesee River on the southern shores of Lake Ontario. The current Keeper’s House was built in 1863 and the Tower is 40 feet high with an additional 12 feet of height for the lantern room. There are 42 steps and then an 11 rung ladder that takes you into the lantern room.
Newburyport Harbor Rear Range Lighthouse
In this small town of Newburyport, Massachusetts an amazing experience can be had with a donation to the lighthouse preservation efforts. Up to four people are able to enjoy marvelous views from the lantern room of Newburyport Harbor Rear Range Lighthouse along with fine dining catered by their choice of five local restaurants.
Sullivan's Island Lighthouse - Charleston, SC
Commissioned on June 15, 1962 as the last lighthouse to be built in the United States, the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse replaced the original Charleston harbor light which was built in 1876. This lighthouse was designed to be three-sided rather than round to make it more wind resistant. The result is that it can withstand gusts up to 125 mph as demonstrated by its ability to hold up against Hurricane Hugo in 1989. It is the only lighthouse in the country to have both an elevator and siding.
Butler Flats Lighthouse - New Bedford, MA
Butler Flats Lighthouse is a sparkplug lighthouse located in the outer harbor of New Bedford, Massachusetts, at the mouth of the Acushnet River. Butler Flats Light was built in 1898 and replaced the old Clark's Point Light, which had been active since 1804.
Fort Taber Lighthouse - New Bedford, MA
The Fort Taber Lighthouse is a 42-foot stone tower built in 1804 to help guide whalers and other vessels entering the harbor.
Fort Taber Lighthouse
Fort Taber was the first lighthouse erected by the government built in 1804 to help guide whalers and other vessels entering the harbor.
Butler Flats Light
Butler Flats Light is a sparkplug lighthouse located in the outer harbor of New Bedford, Massachusetts built in 1898.
A video of both are below.
Bass Harbor Lighthouse, Maine
Construction of the lighthouse was completed in 1858 and is the only lighthouse in Acadia on Mount Desert.
Stonington Harbor Lighthouse
The Stonington Harbor Lighthouse, built in 1823, is a historic nineteenth century lighthouse located on the east side of Stonington Harbor in Stonington, Connecticut.
Conimicut Lighthouse
Conimicut Lighthouse, built in 1883, is a historic sparkplug lighthouse in Warwick, Rhode Island
Newburyport Harbor Lighthouse
The Newburyport Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1788 on Northern Boulevard in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Ten Pound Island Light
The Ten Pound Island Light is a historic lighthouse in Gloucester Harbor in Gloucester, Massachusetts and built in 1821.
Eastern Point Light
Eastern Point Light is an historic lighthouse on Cape Ann, in northeastern Massachusetts. The lighthouse is on the east side of the Gloucester Harbor entrance and was first lit on January 1, 1832.
Thacher Island Twin Lights
The tall, slender twin lighthouses on Thacher Island, off the coast of Rockport since 1888.
Stratsmouth Island Light
Straitsmouth Island Lighthouse was established in 1835 to mark the entrance to Rockport Harbor.
Derby Wharf Light
Derby Wharf Light in Salem, Massachusetts was built in 1871.
Plum Beach Light
Plum Beach Light, built in 1899, is a sparkplug lighthouse in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Goat Island Lighthouse
Goat Island Light is a lighthouse located off Cape Porpoise near Kennebunkport in southern Maine. It was established in 1835 to guard the entrance to Cape Porpoise Harbor.
