Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Massachusetts--Gay Head Light

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
Massachusetts Lighthouses

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GAY HEAD LIGHT

State: MASSACHUSETTS
Location: MARTHA'S VINEYARD
Nearest City: AQUINNAH
County: DUKES
U.S.C.G. District: 1
Year Station Established: 1799

U.S. Coast Guard photo, 1981

Existing Historic Tower:

Year Light First Lit: 1856
Is the Light Operational? YES
Date Deactivated: N/A
Automated: 1960
Foundation Materials:
Construction Materials: BRICK/SANDSTONE
Markings/Patterns: RED BRICK W/BLACK LANTERN
Shape: CONICAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 51
Original Optic: FIRST ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed: 1856
Present Optic: DCB-224
Year Present Lens Installed: 1953
Height of Focal Plane: 170
Fresnel Lens Disposition: FIRST ORDER LENS GIVEN TO DUKE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (VINEYARD MUSEUM) IN 1953
Has tower been moved? NO

Previous Tower(s):

1. Construction Date:
Description:
Fate/Disposition:

Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? NO

Fog Signal Type: NONE

Existing Keepers Quarters? NO (DEMOLISHED 1956)

Year Constructed: 1902
Number of Stories:
Architectural Style:
Construction Materials: WOOD

Other Structures: DEMOLISHED

Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION

Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD LICENSE TO MARTHA'S VINEYARD HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Open to the Public? YES (Go to Lighthouses to Visit for access information)

Web Site:

National Register Status: LISTED Reference #87001464
Name of Listing: GAY HEAD LIGHT (LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS TR)
On State List/Inventory? YES; Year Listed:

Miscellaneous:

Last Modified: Tues, Apr 9 2002 10:15:02 am EDT
JMP

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