Hospital Point Light Station

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Hospital Point Light Station
Photo by Jeremy D'Entremont, www.lighthouse.cc
The Hospital Point Light Station was established in 1872 and includes the light tower, a keeper's dwelling and brick oil house, in addition to an older equipment building built in 1875. Twentieth-century additions include a wood frame garage (1942), concrete walks and a flagpole added in 1948. Extensive modifications to the keeper's house were completed in 1968. Due to the alterations to the site, the light tower is the only contributing structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The 45-foot tall, brick, pyramidal tower is painted white and topped with a 10-sided lantern.

[photo]
Hospital Point Light Station
Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

The name of the light station stems from a smallpox hospital built on the site in 1801. Used as military barracks during the War of 1812, the hospital burned down in 1849. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Beverly and Salem served as active ports for both trade and fishing. Hospital Light was first lit in 1872, around the same time that the nearby Derby Wharf and Winter Island (Fort Pickering) lights were built, in a concerted effort to safely guide vessels into Salem and Beverly Harbors. In 1927, Hospital Point Light officially became the Hospital Point Range Front Light. That same year, a rear range light was installed in the steeple of Beverly's First Baptist Church, approximately one mile distant.

Although a majority of Fresnel lenses have been removed from U.S. lighthouses and replaced with modern, acrylic optics, Hospital Point Light Station retains its original third and one-half order Fresnel lens. In front of the lens is a condensing panel to diminish the intensity of the light if a mariner veers from the main channel into Salem Harbor. This condensing panel is also considered unique in American lighthouses.

Hospital Point Light Station is located on a rocky promontory on the west side of Beverly Cove on the main channel into Salem Harbor in Beverly. Owned by the U.S. Coast Guard, Hospital Point Light is an active aid to navigation and is closed to the public. The light station can be seen fairly well from nearby Bayview Avenue. The pier at Salem Willows Park in Salem provides a distant view, but it is best seen by boat. Approach is by a private road, and a fence and gate surround the property. The Coast Guard opens the lighthouse for tours on a Sunday each August as part of Beverly Homecoming Week, an annual celebration for the citizens and friends of Beverly.

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