Stage Harbor Lighthouse

Year Built

1880

Cost

$10,000

Type

Conical

Height

48 feet

Location

Chatham, Barnstable County

Automated Year

1933

First Lit

1880

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel lens

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

1933

Color

White

Last Keeper - Date

Stanley M. Gunderson (1918 – 1933)

Description

The original light and buildings are now a private residence.

Brief History

•  The first keeper was, Enoch Eldredge, appointed on June 29, 1880 and paid $560 per annum and passed away on March 27, 1884.
•  A brick oil house was added to the station in 1905, and in 1907, the color of the tower was changed from brown to white.
•  On September 19, 1912, Keeper Howard discovered a bottle containing a card on the beach near the lighthouse. The card belonged to Thomas W. Cahill and had written on it that whoever found the bottle was entitled to five dollars.
•  A.A. Howard received an efficiency star (one of seven in his area) in 1914, and his salary was increased $40 annually to $600 in 1915.
•  Despite protests, the plan for the automated light was implemented on June 16, 1933.