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Race Point Light is a historic lighthouse on
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. The light was automated in 1972.
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. Operation of the site is by the
Race Point Lighthouse
official website, with online reservations
featured in Maritime History of Massachusetts — A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary {{authority control Lighthouses completed in 1816 Towers completed in 1816 Lighthouses completed in 1876 National Register of Historic Places in Cape Cod National Seashore Italianate architecture in Massachusetts Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts Lighthouses in Barnstable County, Massachusetts Provincetown, Massachusetts 1816 establishments in Massachusetts
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is a peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean from the southeastern corner of mainland Massachusetts, in the northeastern United States. Its historic, maritime character and ample beaches attract heavy tourism during the summer mon ...
, in Provincetown, Massachusetts
Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...
; it is on the National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artist ...
. 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 The American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1994 with a primary mission of lighthouse preservation. ALF's main office and storefront are headquartered in Rockland, Maine, and the organization currentl ...
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.
History
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 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 orderFresnel lens
A Fresnel lens ( ; ; or ) is a type of composite compact lens developed by the French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel (1788–1827) for use in lighthouses. It has been called "the invention that saved a million ships."
The design allows the ...
and, in 1874, a second keeper's quarters.
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. The light was automated in 1972.
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. Operation of the site is by the American Lighthouse Foundation The American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1994 with a primary mission of lighthouse preservation. ALF's main office and storefront are headquartered in Rockland, Maine, and the organization currentl ...
. Tours are available on the first and third Saturdays from June until October. Both the Keeper's House and the Whistle House are available for overnight rental.
Race Point Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artist ...
as Race Point Light Station on June 15, 1987, reference number 87001482.
Light keepers
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. *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
* Cape Cod National Seashore * Long Point Light * Wood End Light * Nauset LightReferences
External links
Race Point Lighthouse
official website, with online reservations
featured in Maritime History of Massachusetts — A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary {{authority control Lighthouses completed in 1816 Towers completed in 1816 Lighthouses completed in 1876 National Register of Historic Places in Cape Cod National Seashore Italianate architecture in Massachusetts Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts Lighthouses in Barnstable County, Massachusetts Provincetown, Massachusetts 1816 establishments in Massachusetts