Marblehead Light
Why it's listed
Marblehead Light is a tall, Eiffel-like cast iron lighthouse on the north point of Marblehead Neck, guarding the east entrance of Marblehead Harbor. Completed in 1895, it replaced earlier lighting arrangements, including a small light funded in 1833 and a 100-foot mast with an auxiliary light added in 1883, after cottages blocked the view of the older tower. A central cast iron stair column with an enclosed spiral stair is braced by eight piles and crossbracing. The tower rises 105 feet, with a lamp room and lens room above, and its total height above sea level is 130 feet. The door frame shows Second Empire and Neo-Grec detail. A brick oil house with a slate roof stands nearby. The site sits in a town park in a residential, yachting-oriented area. The light was listed because it is the only skeletal cast iron light of its kind in New England and retains its original design and materials. It remains an active, unmanned aid to navigation.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the light has integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship, and is tied to the development of aids to navigation in Massachusetts. Built in 1895, it is described as the only light in New England with a skeletal cast iron form and Second Empire/Neo-Grec detail. It was judged 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 87001479, listed June 15, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Marblehead Neck, Marblehead |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | June 15, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001479 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architectural style | Skeletal cast iron tower with Second Empire/Neo-Grec detail |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation, Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as unmanned and active; the oil house is described as in excellent condition. The tower is Coast Guard owned, and the surrounding land is town park. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.50096, -70.83109 (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 87001479.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6755250
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.