Last updated: November 18, 2025
Place
Boston Auxiliary Light
New York Public Library
Quick Facts
Location:
Little Brewster Island
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
In 1890, the first range light on one of the Boston Harbor Islands went into operation. Range lights are typically installed on two towers, one tower higher than the other. When navigating the channel, mariners used the vertical alignment of the lights to ensure their ship remained on course and away from danger.
The first range light in the harbor, Boston Auxiliary light, however, only had one tower. The light had a central clear white light with two red lights on either side. To steer course for the white light, ships had to avoid the red lights.
Installed in a small frame building on Little Brewster just south of the Boston Light tower, Boston Auxiliary Light guided ships leaving Boston through Nantasket Roads, helping them avoid nearby Toddy Rocks and Hunts Ledge.
The Boston Auxiliary Light remained in service until 1960 when a buoy change in Nantasket Roads made it superfluous. Ultimately, the building on Little Brewster was demolished in 1962.
Prepared by Nancy S. Seasholes, 2009. Updated 2025.