Nauset Lighthouse

Year Built

1877

Cost

$10,000

Type

Conical

Height

48 feet

Location

Nauset Beach, Eastham

Automated Year

1955

First Lit

1877 (current tower in Chatham) - 1923 (current tower here)

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel lens (original), DCB-224 (current)

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

1996-97 - now a private aid

Color

Upper red, lower white with black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

Eugene L. Coleman (1942 – 1950)

Description

A Keeper’s house relocated next to the lighthouse.

Brief History

•  1892, The three brick towers had deteriorated and were rebuilt as three wooden towers.
•  1918, The two end towers were sold for the sum of $3.50. They became part of a summer cottage.
•  1940/41, The top half of the tower was painted red for the first time.
•  1955, Light automated and the characteristic was changed to alternating red and white.
•  1993, The U.S. Coast Guard proposed decommissioning the lighthouse due to the erosion of the cliff. The Nauset Light Preservation Society (NLPS) was formed.