Tag: National Seashore

Cape Cod National Seashore: Nauset Light

On By nationalparkswithtIn Massachusetts10 Comments
Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!

New England Road Trip➤

Patty and I hit the road again in April 2023. We planned to visit a friend in Rhode Island and attend a meetup of the National Park Travelers Club in Massachusetts. Along the way we hit several other National Park Units and historic sites. We spent one morning exploring Cape Cod, including the Nauset Light.

Cape Cod National Seashore➤

The Laurentide Ice Sheet, which covered much of North America during the last Ice Age, formed Cape Cod as it advanced and retreated. Cape Cod is the largest glacial peninsula in the world.

An act of Congress designated Cape Cod National Seashore and President John F. Kennedy signed it into law on August 7, 1961. President Kennedy, a Massachusetts native, had a strong connection to Cape Cod. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the national seashore. He recognized the importance of preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Cape Cod for future generations, and the establishment of the national seashore was a significant step in achieving that goal.

Cape Cod National Seashore protects forty miles of pristine sandy beach, salt marshes, ponds, and upland forests. These ecosystems support diverse species of plants and animals. Lighthouses, historic landscapes, and wild cranberry bogs provide insights into Cape Cod’s rich history and enduring traditions. Meanwhile, beaches, waterways, and extensive walking and biking paths offer modern-day visitors a wide range of recreational experiences.

Nauset Light➤

Nauset Light is a restored lighthouse in Cape Cod National Seashore on Nauset Beach. This lighthouse was built using the 1877 tower relocated from Chatham Light. It stands at a height of 48 feet and is accompanied by a brick oil house. It now operates as a fully automated private aid to navigation. The Nauset Light Preservation Society manages the light and offers summer tours.

The history of Nauset Light dates back to 1877 when its original tower was constructed in Chatham. In 1923, the tower moved to Eastham to replace the decommissioned Three Sisters of Nauset. The red top section of the tower was added in the 1940s. Over the years, the light was automated, and the keeper’s house was sold in 1955. The owner eventually donated the house to the National Park Service.

Due to coastal erosion, by the early 1990s, Nauset Light was perilously close to the edge of a 70-foot cliff. The Coast Guard contemplated decommissioning the light in 1993, sparking public outcry. In response, the Nauset Light Preservation Society organized and secured funding. In 1995, the society leased the lighthouse from the Coast Guard and organized the successful relocation of both the tower and the brick oil house 336 feet west of their original positions. They re-illuminated the light on May 10, 1997, with ownership transferred to the National Park Service during the ceremony.

New England Posts➤

Location: 120 Nauset Light Beach Rd, Eastham, MA
Designation: National Seashore
Date designated/established: August 7, 1961
Date of my visit: April 14, 2023