Monomoy Point Lighthouse
Also known as: Old Monomoy Lighthouse
Why it's listed
Monomoy Point Lighthouse sits at the southern tip of Monomoy Island, a barrier beach reachable only by boat, within a national wildlife refuge. The complex has a two-story Cape Cod style keeper's house, a brick tower sheathed in cast iron about thirty-five feet high, and a small brick generator house, linked by a covered walkway. A first light was begun in 1823 by James Gill, with the present tower dating to about 1871 after several rebuildings and refittings. The light guided sailors past the shoals off Monomoy Point, where vessels turned from Cape Cod waters toward Nantucket Sound. It is the only historic, major structure remaining on the island. Changing shoals, modern navigational aids and an improved Chatham light led to its decommissioning in 1923. The tower is sound but rusted and stripped of its lighting equipment, and vandalism and harsh weather have harmed it. No staff are stationed on the refuge to guard it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the light played an important role in the navigational history of Cape Cod and the eastern coast, marking the point where ships turned the corner from the dangerous shoals into Nantucket Sound. It is also the only historic, major remaining structure on Monomoy Island. Its engineering and its link to exploration and settlement are cited.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79000324, listed November 1, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Monomoy Island, Chatham |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | November 1, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000324 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899, 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Original light: James Gill (?); records also mention Cyrus Alger (cast iron lighthouse, 1849) and Pelham Bonney (keeper's house contract, 1849) |
| Architectural style | Keeper's house built in a practical Cape Cod style |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Decommissioned in 1923; marked unoccupied. The tower is structurally sound but rusted and stripped, vandalism and weather have caused damage, and protection is described as nearly impossible. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 41.55983, -69.99377 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79000324.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1945051
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.