Bird Island Lighthouse

Year Built

1819

Cost

$11,500

Type

Conical

Height

312 feet

Location

Sippican Harbor, Marion

Automated Year

1997

First Lit

1889

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel lens (original) - ML-300 (current)

Fog Signal

Original, pyramidal bell tower, none now

Year Deactivated

1933 – 1997

Color

White with black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

George T. Gustavus (1926 – 1933)

Description

The tower was built when the light was first established in 1819, and was accompanied by an attached stone keeper's dwelling. All of the buildings except the tower were destroyed in the New England Hurricane of 1938.

Brief History

•  On September 1,1819 Bird Island light went into operation with William Moore as the First Keeper.
•  In December 1819 a severe storm devastated the light station.
•  Notable changes to the lighthouse include the installation of a fourth-order Fresnel lens in 1856 and a new lantern room in 1863.
•  In 1940 the island was sold at auction to a private party. Since 1966 the Town of Marion has owned the island.
•  On July 4, 1997 Bird Island Light was relit as a private aid to navigation.