Cape Ann Lighthouse

Year Built

1771

Cost

Unknown

Type

Conical

Height

124 feet

Location

Thatcher Island, off of Cape Ann, Rockport

Automated Year

1988

First Lit

1861, 1989

Lens Type

1st order Fresnel lens (original), 200 millimetres (7.9 in) (current)

Fog Signal

Horn: 2 every 60s

Year Deactivated

Second Tower: 1932-1988

Color

Natural, unpainted granite

Last Keeper - Date

Edward J. O'Shea (at least 1975)

Description

A gray stone tower with air-diaphone fog signal is also located at the station.

Brief History

•  Thatcher’s Island was named for the Rev. Anthony Thatcher who, on the night of August 14, 1635, was shipwrecked there.
•  On April 22, 1771, the Province of Massachusetts Bay Council authorized the erection of twin lighthouses on Thatcher’s Island.
•  A Civil War veteran named Bray was appointed keeper in 1865 and on the day before Christmas.
•  In 1891, Mr. John Farley, assistant keeper, was killed while landing at the station in a heavy sea.
•  The Thacher Island Association was founded in 1983 to support and encourage historic preservation and restoration of the structures on the Island.