Derby Wharf Light Station
Also known as: See also:Salem Maritime National Historic Site; Derby Waterfr
Why it's listed
Derby Wharf Light Station is a small lighthouse at the far end of Derby Wharf on the west side of Salem Harbor, Massachusetts. Its 12-foot square white brick tower rises 25 feet above the high waterline and carries an octagonal iron lens room with a double course of windows, an iron segmented roof, a ventilation ball and a simple iron balcony railing. The walls are solid, with only a single steel door on the west side. The form records construction in 1870 for $3,000, though the significance section gives 1877. The light joined Salem Maritime National Historic Site in 1966 and the Derby Waterfront local historic district in 1976. It was relit in 1983 with solar power and an unmanned flashing signal. It was listed because it retains its original location, design, materials and workmanship, reflects the development of navigation aids in Massachusetts, and is one of only five square-plan lights in the state.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the light keeps integrity of location, design, materials and workmanship and is tied to the development of aids to navigation in Massachusetts. It is one of only five square-plan lights in the state and is part of an existing waterfront historic district. It is rated significant at the state level under criteria A and C.
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 87001466, listed June 15, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Derby Wharf, Salem |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | June 15, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001466 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation, Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as an unmanned, active lighthouse; relit in 1983 using solar power with a 6-second flashing signal. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.51451, -70.88383 (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 87001466.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5261523
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.