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Chris J LeBlanc Photography - Lighthouses
Providing details and historical information of lighthouse pictures taken during my travels
Long Island Head Lighthouse
Boston Harbor, Massachusetts
© 2011 - Chris J LeBlanc Photographer
Location: Located on Long Island in Boston Harbor.
Latitude: N 42.33022
Longitude: W 70.95767
Year Constructed: 1900 (station established 1819). Reactivated (inactive 1982-1985)
Tower Height: 52 feet Focal Plane: 120 feet
Round cylindrical brick tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern and gallery black.
This the second oldest light station in the harbor. The original 23 ft rubblestone tower was replaced in 1844 by the first cast iron lighthouse built in the U.S. It was replaced in 1881 by a second cast iron tower, similar to Race Point Light on Cape Cod. In 1900, that light had to be removed to make way for an extension of Fort Strong. The brick tower, built in 1900 as a replacement, was renovated in 1998.
The light was automated in 1929. The light was decommissioned in 1982, but that decision was soon reversed. The light was refitted with a solar-powered optic, visible fifteen miles away, and relit in 1985. Since then some necessary repairs have been performed to the tower, which is now mostly obscured by trees that have been allowed to grow up on the island.
Second Long Island Head Lighthouse built in 1844
Historic Postcard of Long Island Head Lighthouse
Fourth Long Island Head Lighthouse built in 1901
Historical Information:
* Originally it was referred to as the Inner Harbor Light.
* The island occupied by a state prison hospital, was part of Boston Island Nautical Recreational Area.
* In 1918 a committee of The Boston Marine Society noted a large number of vessels that passed close by Long Island as they entered the harbor. Congress Subsequently appropriated $11,500 for a Lighthouse in 1819.
* In 1843 IWP Lewis- Civil Engineer to the United States Light House Survey reported deterioration of the leaky tower and the lights obstructed Lantern’s room framework.
* Long Island was rebuilt three times after the original construction. It was rebuilt in 1844 by Boston Iron Co. It was 34’ high.
* In 1858 the optics were refitted with a Fourth Order Fresnel Lens exhibiting a fixed white light.
* In 1870 Fort Story was built in the rear of the Lighthouse with a 10 gun battery
* In 1881 a new keeper’s house and cast iron light was built.
* From 1899 to 1939 Fort Story was expanded to update the Coastal Defense System. Because of the fort’s expansion Long Island Head Light had to be relocated to keep it from injury by the firing of the guns
* In 1901 the current white cylindrical brick Lighthouse was completed.
* 1982- 1985 the Coast Guard decommissioned Long Island Head Light. The tower was refurbished and the light was relit in 1985
* It received a major renovation in the summer of 1998.
Historic Postcard of Long Island Head Lighthouse
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