Historic Structure Report: Historical Data Section, Nauset Beach Lighthouses, Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
Clemensen AB. 1983. Historic Structure Report: Historical Data Section, Nauset Beach Lighthouses, Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts. Historic Structure Report. U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, North Atlantic Regional Office. Boston, Massachusetts
This Historic Structures Report for the Nauset Beach Lighthouses describes the history, characteristics, development, and use of the structures. The significance of the lighthouses resides in their historical association with this specific locality, which are noted as being the only extant triple set of lights in the nation. The report was prepared after the lighthouses were included in a thematic grouping of Massachusetts lighthouses to be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. They were planned for further restoration. This report describes the development of lighthouse structures at Nauset Beach within the context of coastal lighthouses at that time, addressing construction, operation, and relocation. The lights were first established at Nauset Beach in the 1830s, in response to a request by the Boston Marine Society. Three lights were placed to avoid confusion with other nearby lights. They were intended to help alert coastal vessels until they could navigate to within sight of the Highland or Chatham lights along the curving coastline. In 1892, three wooden movable towers were constructed westward of the original towers, which were threatened by shoreline erosion. The lanterns from the brick towers were moved to the new lights on April 25, 1892. In addition to details about the structural history, the report describes changes in technology, lighthouse keepers, and ancillary structures. Maps and photographs indicate the locations of the lighthouses.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Clemensen, A.
- Date of Issue
- 1983
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, North Atlantic Regional Office
- Units
- CACO , NER
- Keywords
- Architecture, Boston Marine Society, Chatham lighthouse, coastal erosion, Cultural Historical, Highland lighthouse, Historic Res, Historic Sites, Lighthouse Board, Lighthouse Establishment, Lighthouses, Management, maritime history, navigation, relocation, technology, Three Sisters
- Subjects
- CRIS-HS: 023517: The Beacon , CRIS-HS: 023516: Twin Lights (North) , CRIS-HS: 023515: Twin Lights (South)