Sankaty Head Lighthouse

Year Built

1850

Cost

$12,000

Type

Cylindrical

Height

40 feet

Location

Siasconset

Automated Year

1965

First Lit

1850

Lens Type

Second order Fresnel lens (original) - DCB-224 (current)

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White with red band midway and black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

Richard T. Hassett (1963 – at least 1964)

Description

The tower remains an active aid to navigation is all that is still standing.

Brief History

•  Ten acres on Sankaty Head, the most southeastern headland in New England, were purchased from George Myrick in May 1849 for $250.
•  Sankaty Head Lighthouse was the first in the United States to be equipped with a Fresnel lens as original equipment.
•  Though initially staffed with a head keeper and two assistants, there was only one assistant by 1853.
•  On May 15, 1933, an electric light replaced the kerosene vapor light at Sankaty Head, increasing the power of the lighthouse from 99,000 to 720,000 candlepower.
•  On October 11 and 12, 2008, one year after the successful relocation of the tower, an open house was held at Sankaty Head Lighthouse to welcome the public to the restored tower in its newly landscaped surroundings.