West Chop Lighthouse

Year Built

Originally built in 1847, current structure built in 1881.

Cost

$5,000

Type

Conical tower

Height

45 feet

Location

Tisbury

Automated Year

1976

First Lit

1891

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel lens

Fog Signal

Horn: 1 every 30s

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White w/black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

Fred Gallop (1967 – 1970)

Description

TOn August 8, 2000, President Bill Clinton, who occasionally vacationed on Martha’s Vineyard while in office, signed the Oceans Act of 2000 on the grounds of the West Chop Lighthouse.

Brief History

•  Four acres of land for the lighthouse were purchased at a cost of $225 from Abijah and Mary Luce of Boston.
•  Due to erosion the station was rebuilt in 1846. A round tower and stone Cape-style keeper’s quarters were built about 1,000 feet southwest of the original location.
•  In 1857 a second light was placed atop the keeper’s quarters. This was meant to replace a series of range lights that marked the entrance to the harbor.
•   The tower was originally painted red but was painted white in 1896.
•  On August 8, 2000, President Bill Clinton, who occasionally vacationed on Martha’s Vineyard while in office, signed the Oceans Act of 2000 on the grounds of the West Chop Lighthouse.