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Race Point Light

Coordinates: 42°3′44.4″N 70°14′41″W / 42.062333°N 70.24472°W / 42.062333; -70.24472
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Race Point Light
The lighthouse gets a fresh coat of paint in 2012
Map
LocationCape Cod
Coordinates42°3′44.4″N 70°14′34.9″W / 42.062333°N 70.243028°W / 42.062333; -70.243028
Tower
Constructed1816
FoundationNatural/emplaced
ConstructionIron plate with brick interior
Automated1972
Height45 feet (14 m)
ShapeConical
MarkingsWhite with black lantern
HeritageNational Register of Historic Places listed place Edit this on Wikidata
Light
First lit1876 (current structure)
Focal height41 feet (12 m) above mean sea level
LensFourth-order Fresnel lens (original), LED lens (current)
Range16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi)
CharacteristicFl W 10s
Race Point Light Station
1911 postcard
Race Point Light is located in Cape Cod
Race Point Light
LocationRace Point Beach, Provincetown, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°3′44.4″N 70°14′41″W / 42.062333°N 70.24472°W / 42.062333; -70.24472
Area10 acres ceded to US Government by the Commonwealth of MA 1816
Built1876
Architectural styleItalianate
MPSLighthouses of Massachusetts TR
NRHP reference No.87001482[1]
Added to NRHPJune 15, 1987

Race Point Light is a historic lighthouse on Cape Cod, in Provincetown, Massachusetts; it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The original tower, first illuminated in 1816, was replaced in 1876 with the current 45-foot tall iron-plated tower and a new keeper's dwelling. The American Lighthouse Foundation operates the property and rents out two buildings for overnight stays. The actual light is maintained by the Coast Guard. The site is reached by walking about 45 minutes over sand; with a National Park Service Oversand Permit, a four-wheel-drive vehicle can be used.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

History

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The original "rubble stone" tower and keepers's house

Race Point Light was first established in 1816, the third light on Cape Cod (after Highland Light (1797) and Chatham Light (1808). The original light was a 25 feet (7.6 m) rubblestone tower that featured one of the earliest rotating beacons, which distinguished it from others on Cape Cod. In 1858 the light got a fourth order Fresnel lens and, in 1874, a second keeper's quarters.

Race Point Lighthouse after 1876

In 1876, after significant deterioration of the original tower, it was replaced with a 45-foot tall cast iron tower lined with brick. The Fresnel lens was installed into the new tower. The original keeper's stone house was removed and replaced with one made of wood. Race Point Light was electrified in 1957. The larger keeper's house was removed in 1960 and the other was updated.[5] The light was automated in 1972.[2]

In 1995 the group updated the keeper's house and began offering rooms for overnight stays in 1998. A solar electrical system was installed in October 2003, and a wind turbine back-up generator was added in 2007. The light now uses a solar-powered VRB-25 optic with 400,000 candlepower, operated by the Coast Guard.[2] Operation of the site is by the American Lighthouse Foundation. Tours are available on the first and third Saturdays from June until October.[3] Both the Keeper's House and the Whistle House are available for overnight rental.[7]

Race Point Light, postcard, circa 1930-1945

Race Point Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Race Point Light Station on June 15, 1987, reference number 87001482.[1]

Light keepers

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The following keepers maintained the light over the years, some for a surprisingly short time. Several had been assistant keepers for years prior to their promotion to head keeper.[2]

  • Joshua Dyer (1816 – 1822)
  • Elijah Dyer (1822 – 1847)
  • Lemuel Cook (1847 – 1853)
  • Waterman Crocker (1853 – 1861)
  • Josiah Ghenn (1861 – 1870)
  • James Cushman (1870 – 1885)
  • Thomas V. Mullins (1885 – 1892)
  • Charles A. Havender (1892 – 1904)
  • Samuel S. Smith (1904 – 1909)
  • Roscoe G. Lopaus (1909)
  • Waldo Leighton (1909 – 1915)
  • William H. Lowther (1915 – 1935)
  • James W. Hinckley (1935 – 1937)
  • Javan D. York (1938 – 1942)
  • Theodore M. Koswoski (1944)
  • James O’Brien (1944)
  • Joseph L. Collette (1944)
  • Osborne E. Hallett (1945 – 1955)
  • Elias J. Martinez (1955 – 1956)
  • Gottfried Schiffers (1956 – 1958)
  • Elias J. Martinez (1958 – 1959)
  • Aubrey T. Griggs (1959 – 1960)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d "Race Point Lighthouse".
  3. ^ a b "Race Point Light Station on Outer Cape Cod | Operated by the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation". Racepointlighthouse.org. 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  4. ^ "Cape Cod National Seashore - Cape Cod National Seashore Oversand Beach Driving (U.S. National Park Service)". Archived from the original on 2009-04-27.
  5. ^ a b "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Massachusetts". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. 2009-09-07. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
  6. ^ United States Coast Guard (2009). Light List, Volume I, Atlantic Coast, St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey. p. 6.
  7. ^ a b Rowlett, Russ (2009-09-07). "Lighthouses of the United States: Southeast Massachusetts". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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