Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Massachusetts--Bird Island Light

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
Massachusetts Lighthouses

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BIRD ISLAND LIGHT

State: MASSACHUSETTS
Location: SIPPICAN HARBOR OFF BUZZARD'S BAY
Nearest City: MARION
County: PLYMOUTH
U.S.C.G. District: 1
Year Station Established: 1819

1997 photo by Charles Bradbury

Existing Historic Tower:

Year Light First Lit: 1819
Is the Light Operational? YES (PRIVATE AID TO NAVIGATION)
Date Deactivated: 1933-1997
Automated: 1997
Foundation Materials: SURFACE ROCK
Construction Materials: RUBBLESTONE
Markings/Patterns: WHITE W/BLACK LANTERN
Shape: CONICAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 31
Original Optic: 10 LAMPS, 14-INCH REFLECTORS
Year Original Lens Installed: 1819
FOURTH ORDER FRESNEL (1852)
Present Optic: TIDELANDS ML-300-TF
Year Present Lens Installed: 1997
Height of Focal Plane: 37
Fresnel Lens Disposition:
Has tower been moved? NO

Previous Tower(s): N/A

Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? NO (DISMANTLED)

Year Constructed:
Construction Materials:
Architectural Style: PYRAMIDAL TOWER
Fog Signal Type: BELL

Existing Keepers Quarters? NO (DESTROYED)

Year Constructed: 1890
Number of Stories:
Architectural Style:
Construction Materials: STONE

Other Structures: NONE (SWEPT AWAY IN 1938 HURRICANE)

Current Use: ISLAND IS NESTING GROUND FOR ENDANGERED ROSEATE TERNS MAY TO AUGUST

Owner/Manager: TOWN OF MARION

Open to the Public? NO

Web Site:

National Register Status: LISTED; Reference #87002030
Name of Listing: BIRD ISLAND LIGHT (LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS TR)
On State List/Inventory? YES; Year Listed:

Miscellaneous:
TOWER ORIGINALLY ATTACHED TO STONE DWELLING; LANTERN REPLACED IN 1850S

Last Modified: Fri, Apr 5 2002 10:16:02 am EDT
JMP

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