Annisquam Harbor Light Station
Why it's listed
Annisquam Harbor Light Station sits on the western side of Wigwam Point, beside the Annisquam River entrance in Gloucester. Congress authorized a light here in 1800, and the first octagonal wooden tower and keeper's dwelling were built and lit in 1801. About 1897 a 41-foot white brick tower replaced the wooden one. The dwelling was heavily altered then but kept the plan and dimensions of the original. The complex also includes a 75-foot wooden walkway, a garage, a seawall and a small stone oil house, believed to date from 1801 to 1814 and unusual in Massachusetts, where most are brick. The light was automated in 1974, and the Coast Guard keeps 1.3 of the original 6.5 acres. The station was listed for its association with the growth of navigational aids in Massachusetts, its age, its surviving early buildings, and its scenic coastal setting. The keeper's dwelling is still occupied by Coast Guard personnel.
Significance in brief: The station is tied to the development of aids to navigation in Massachusetts and is one of the oldest sites in the state. The 1897 tower stands alongside the keeper's house and oil house, which keep elements of the original 1801-14 complex. The form also calls the site picturesque and representative of the scenic coast, and says it keeps integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship.
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 87001526, listed June 15, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Wigwam Pt., Gloucester |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | June 15, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001526 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation, Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The keeper's dwelling is occupied by the Coast Guard Commanding Officer of the Gloucester Station and his family. The light was automated in 1974. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.66365, -70.67480 (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.
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 87001526.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4769525
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.