Ned Point Light
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Ned Point Light is a 35-foot whitewashed stone lighthouse at the northeast end of Mattapoisett Harbor on Buzzards Bay. Built in 1837 by government lighthouse contractor Leonard Hammond for $4,500, it has sloping sides and an eight-sided cast iron lantern. A stone oil house from the same year survives nearby, with a concrete circular foundation and narrow cast iron doors. The light first shone in March 1838 as a fixed white light. The original keeper's house was replaced in the 1880s, and in 1920 that house was moved by barge across Buzzards Bay to Wing's Neck in Pocasset. In 1958 the town of Mattapoisett acquired the land and structures except the tower and right of way, creating a public park around the light. The Coast Guard kept the light as an active, unmanned navigational aid. The tower and oil house are valued as well-preserved masonry structures that keep their relationship to each other and to the harbor.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the light and oil house retain integrity of design, location, materials, setting and workmanship. They are well-preserved examples of masonry construction and are associated with the development of aids to navigation in Massachusetts. It meets criteria A and C at the state level.
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 87001488, listed June 15, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Ned Point Rd., Mattpoisett |
|---|---|
| County | Plymouth County |
| Listed | June 15, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001488 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architect / builder | Leonard Hammond, Government Lighthouse contractor |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation, Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Unmanned and active as a navigational aid; the tower and right of way are Coast Guard property, and the oil house and surrounding land form a town park. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 41.64813, -70.77069 (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 87001488.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6986072
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.