New England Lighthouses

"Lighthouses, from ancient times, have fascinated members of the human race. There is something about a lighted beacon that suggests hope and trust and appeals to the better instincts of mankind."
– Edward Rowe Snow

The earliest lights to guide ships through the darkness of the night sky and during treacherous storms, were simple bonfires on beaches or cliffs, but evolved into the lights you see today.

In New England, light houses are a large and important part of its heritage and charm.

The oldest in the United States is the Boston Harbor Light.

First constructed in 1716, and as you probably already guessed from the name, is located in Boston Harbor, more specifically on Brewster Island.

Other Massachusetts Lighthouses can be found on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island.

Maine Lighthouses

There are more than 60 along Maines coastline.

Two of the most visited in Maine, are the Portland Head Light, where Longfellow penned his famous poem, and Cape Neddick, or maybe better known locally as Nubble Light house.

West Quoddy Light, considered the eastern most light in the United States, marks the point where the sun first rises each day in this country.

In Block Island Rhode Island Southeast Light and North Light are two of the fanciest in New England.

There are several in Connecticut, but two that really stand out for us is New London Harbor light, built in 1801, and New London Light Ledge, which is a three story mansion atop a rocky ledge in the middle of the harbor.

Not exactly what you would expect one of these lights to look like, and you can't get there on foot.

Feeling Adventurous?

Want to spend the night in one of these houses?

For a real light house experience you can stay overnight at the Race Point Light house on Cape Cod, or Rose Point Light in Rhode Island, built in 1870 and accessible only by ferry.

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