Boston Light

Year Built

1716; original tower destroyed by British, 1776

Cost

2,400 British pounds

Type

Conical

Height

89 feet

Location

Little Brewster Island Boston

Automated Year

1998

First Lit

1783

Lens Type

Second Order Fresnel lens (1859), 2 x 1,000-watt light bulbs; 1.8 million candlepower

Fog Signal

Horn: 1 every 30s

Year Deactivated

1776–1783 and during WWII

Color

White with five steel bands and black trim

Last Keeper - Date

Dr. Sally Snowman, who has been serving on site since 2003. She is the first female lighthouse keeper to serve at the Boston light.

Description

A granite tower with oil house, a fog signal house, and cistern building.

Brief History

•  The first keeper, George Worthylake, with a salary of £50 a year, also acted as pilot for vessels entering the harbor.
•  In 1774 the British took over the island and in 1775 the harbor was blocked and the lighthouse became useless.
•  In 1893 the Massachusetts Institute of Technology sent 20 or 30 students to live on the island.
•  During World War II the light was extinguished as a security measure, but was again placed in operation July 2, 1945.
•  The light was automated on April 16, 1998 but keepers were still assigned to the station.