Edgartown Harbor Light
Why it's listed
Edgartown Harbor Light is a white cast iron lighthouse on the western side of Edgartown's inner harbor, opposite Chappaquiddick Island. The tower dates to 1875 and rests on a granite block foundation topped by an octagonal concrete base. Its four rings of cast iron plates have windows with Italianate surrounds, and twelve open brackets support the balcony beneath a ten-sided lens room. A beacon has marked this spot since 1828, when a combined dwelling and light was built on a platform at the harbor entrance. That wooden structure was later replaced by the current tower, which was floated by barge from Ipswich in 1939. The move answered local opposition to replacing a traditional light with a steel skeleton tower. Because it was relocated, the light lost integrity of location, yet it keeps its design, materials and workmanship. It was listed for its link to navigational aids in Massachusetts and as a well preserved cast iron light of its era. The form describes it as unmanned and active.
Significance in brief: The tower is a well preserved example of the cast iron lights typical of its period and is tied to the development of aids to navigation in Massachusetts. Although the 1939 move cost it integrity of location, it still marks a site that has had a beacon since 1828. The move was also notable because it answered local opposition to replacing a traditional light with a modern steel skeleton tower.
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 87001465, listed June 15, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Off N. Water St., Edgartown |
|---|---|
| County | Dukes County |
| Listed | June 15, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001465 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architectural style | Cast iron cylindrical tower with Italianate window surrounds and bracket details |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation, Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as unmanned and active, owned by the U.S. Coast Guard at the time of the form. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Within district | Edgartown Village Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.39251, -70.50537 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 87001465.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5337606
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.