Scituate Light

[photo]
Scituate Light
Photo by Jeremy D'Entremont, www.lighthouse.cc
Established in 1811, Scituate Light Station is the 11th oldest lighthouse in the Nation. It is perhaps most famous for the two teenage daughters of the first keeper, Simon Bates, who reportedly prevented the British from invading Scituate during the War of 1812. As a British warship attempted to anchor near Scituate Light to raid the town, the daughters, Rebecca and Abigail, spotted the soldiers. Alone at the lighthouse with no time to warn the townspeople, they began playing their fife and drum loudly. Their quick actions caused the British army to think the Scituate militia was approaching and thus retreated.

[photo]
Historic photo of Scituate Light
Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

Scituate Light consists of an octagonal granite tower connected by an enclosed walkway to a Cape Cod style, one-and-one-half-story keeper's dwelling. In 1827, workers added a 15-foot tall brick extension atop the original granite blocks and installed a new lantern room to enhance the light's visibility. Exposure to harsh weather greatly deteriorated the 50-foot tall tower and required that the tower walls be rebuilt in 1841. Scituate received a Fresnel lens in 1855. Illuminated for only five years, Scituate Light was deactivated and the lantern was removed when Minot's Ledge Light to the north was completed in 1860. The Lighthouse Service sold Scituate Light to the Town of Scituate in 1916 and the new owners installed a replica lantern in 1930. In 1968, the Scituate Historical Society began managing the site. After being out of service for 134 years, Scituate Light was relit in 1994 as a private aid to navigation.

Scituate Light Station is located on Cedar Point off Lighthouse Rd. in Scituate. It is an active private aid to navigation owned by the Town of Scituate and managed by the Scituate Historical Society. The grounds surrounding the light station are open year-round, and the light tower is occasionally open during the summer. For more information about open house dates or special events at the light station call 781-545-1083 or visit the Scituate Historical Society website.

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