Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Massachusetts--Minots Ledge Light

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
Massachusetts Lighthouses

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MINOTS LEDGE LIGHT

State: MASSACHUSETTS
Location: COHASSET ROCKS
Nearest City: SCITUATE
County: PLYMOUTH
U.S.C.G. District: 1
Year Station Established: 1850

NPS photo by Candace Clifford, 1998

Existing Historic Tower:

Year Light First Lit: 1860
Is the Light Operational? YES
Date Deactivated: N/A
Automated: 1947
Foundation Materials: STONE LEDGE
Construction Materials: GRANITE
Markings/Patterns: NATURAL
Shape: CONICAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 114
Original Optic: THIRD ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed: 1860
Present Optic: 300 MM, SOLAR POWERED
Year Present Lens Installed: 1983
Height of Focal Plane: 85
Fresnel Lens Disposition: FRESNEL LENS PLACED IN REPLICA LANTERN ONSHORE IN COHASSET, MASSACHUSETTS
Has tower been moved? NO

Previous Tower(s):

1. Construction Date: 1850
Description: PILE STRUCTURE
Fate/Disposition: SWEPT AWAY 1851

Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? NO

Fog Signal Type: HORN (DISCONTINUED 1947)

Existing Keepers Quarters? YES

Year Constructed: 1858
Number of Stories: 2
Architectural Style: DUPLEX ONSHORE ON GOVERNMENT ISLAND
Construction Materials: WOOD

Other Structures: ENGINEERING OFFICE, OIL STORAGE BUILDING, STONE WHARF, ASST. KEEPERS DWELLING (ALL ON GOVERNMENT ISLAND), STONE FROM WATCHROOM REMOVED TO GOVERNMENT ISLAND AND REPLICA LANTERN PLACED ON TOP

Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION

Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD (TOWER) / TOWN OF COHASSET (DWELLING)

Open to the Public? NO

Web Site:

National Register Status: LISTED; Reference #87001489
Name of Listing: MINOTS LEDGE LIGHT (LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS TR)
On State List/Inventory? YES; Year Listed:

Miscellaneous:
LIGHTSHIP AT SITE 1851-1860; ONE OF TOP TEN ENGINEERING FEATS OF USLHS; MOST "WAVE-SWEPT" LIGHTHOUSE; SENTIMENTAL FAVORITE FOR "I LOVE YOU" LIGHT; AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING LANDMARK; MONUMENT TO TWO ASSISTANTS KILLED WHEN THE FIRST LIGHTHOUSE WAS DESTROYED IS BEING DEDICATED AT GOVERNMENT ISLAND ON MAY 21, 2000

Last Modified: Tues, Apr 9 2002 11:35:02 am EDT
JMP

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