Bass River Lighthouse

Year Built

1855

Cost

$4000

Type

Conical tower on dwelling roof

Height

44 feet

Location

Bass River, West Dennis

Automated Year

Aug. 7, 1989

First Lit

1855

Lens Type

Original Fifth Order Fresnel Lens - Present Optic: 300 mm

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

1914 – 1989

Color

White w/red trim

Last Keeper - Date

Russell B. Eastman (1906 – 1914)

Description

Conical tower on dwelling on a one-and-half-story, wooden keeper’s house with an iron lantern room atop the pitched roof.

Brief History

•  In 1854 a 1½ story house white house with a tower and lantern was built.
•  James Chase was hired as the first keeper at an annual salary of $350, and he exhibited the light for the first time on April 30, 1855.
•  An oil house was added to the station in 1905.
•  After the Cape Cod Canal was opened the Bass River light was deactivated in 1914.
•  The Bass River Lighthouse was relit on August 7, 1989, the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Lighthouse Service.