Lighthouses North of Boston

The towns and cities of Gloucester, Salem, Marblehead, Newburyport, Rockport, and Beverly are home to gorgeous coastlines and several historic lighthouses that helped safely guide mariners to their destination. Discover some lighthouses located in towns and cities North of Boston, and learn more about their impact on maritime culture. 

Lighthouses in Gloucester, MA

Annisquam Light

Annisquam Harbor Light Station, formerly known as Wigwam Point, was first established in 1801 and is now one of the oldest light stations in Massachusetts. The original wooden octagonal tower was replaced around 1897 by the existing brick tower. The site includes elements of the original light station complex (completed by 1814), such as the keeper’s house and an oil house. An elevated wooden walkway leads to the 41-foot-tall tower, which rests on a stone foundation. While you can’t visit the interior of the lighthouse, you can enjoy gorgeous views from Wingaersheek and Norwood Heights Beach.

Eastern Point Light

The lighthouse was originally planned in 1829 and was erected and first lit in 1832 on the east side of the Gloucester Harbor entrance. The tower was rebuilt in 1848 and again in 1890, and the current conical brick tower stands 36 feet tall. The lighthouse features a two-story attached keeper’s quarters, built in 1879, and its white light is visible for 20 nautical miles. While you cannot go into the lighthouse, you can view it from the DogBar Breakwater, a 2,250-foot granite jetty that extends into the harbor and offers gorgeous sights of Glocuster Harbor on one side and the Boston skyline on the other.

Ten Pound Island Light

Ten Pound Island Light Station was established in 1821 to guide mariners into Gloucester’s inner harbor safely.  The present conical cast-iron tower replaced the original stone tower in 1881. The lighthouse rests on a brick foundation, standing 30 feet tall and topped with a fifth-order lantern. In the summer of 1880, American artist Winslow Homer stayed with the lighthouse keeper on Ten Pound Island; during his time, Winslow produced around 50 paintings of Gloucester Harbor.

Ten Pound Island Light Station was decommissioned in 1956. Its original Fresnel lens was removed and put on display at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, ME. The light station can be viewed by boat or on foot from several points of the Gloucester waterfront. 

Lighthouses in Salem, MA

Derby Wharf Light

Located at the end of Derby Wharf, the Derby Wharf Light Station aided sailors’ navigation in Salem Harbor since it was first lit in 1871. Derby Wharf, constructed by Richard Derby and his son Elias Hasket Derb, played an important role in Salem’s bustling maritime industry. The lighthouse is about twelve feet square and about 20 feet high to the top of the cupola. You can walk along Derby Wharf’s gravel path for about a half-mile to see the outside of the lighthouse and enjoy views of the harbor.

Winter Island Light 

Winter Island Light, also known as Fort Pickering Light, was built adjacent to the site of the former Fort Pickering in Winter Island Park in 1871, the same year as Derby Wharf Light in Salem Harbor and Hospital Point Light in nearby Beverly. The lighthouse, built of iron lined with brick and originally painted red, exhibited a flashing white light 28 feet above sea level. Like Derby Wharf Light, Winter Island Light was vital in guiding ships safely to Salem Harbor. The lighthouse is part of the public park Winter Island, where you can camp, picnic, and boat. 

Bakers Island Light

Located on Salem Sound, about 5 miles from Salem, Bakers Island Light is a 10-acre light station instrumental to the city’s maritime history. The lighthouse has been owned and operated by the federal government since 1798, and the rest of the island is privately owned. Take a boat tour to visit the lighthouse; the island offers many tours throughout the summer that include the options of staying overnight at the lighthouse or camping at the Old Pasture campground.

Lighthouses in Marblehead, MA

Marblehead Light

In August 1831, Congress gave the money for this 23-foot-high tower; it was built in 1835 and commissioned on October 10, 1835. Despite the work on the tower and associated keepers’ house, the tower fell into poor condition, and by 1893, a new light was requested. This new light consisted of eight cast iron piles on concrete foundations. It was first illuminated on the 17th April 1896 as a fixed white light. Later in 1922, the lighthouse was changed to fixed red, and then in 1938 to fixed green. In 1960, the light was automated, and a new 300 millimeters optic was installed. Marblehead Light is the only tower of its type in New England, as it’s the only cast-iron skeletal lighthouse tower in the region. The light station is located on the northern tip of Marblehead Neck, and you can explore the outside of the lighthouse and enjoy beautiful views of the Beverly and Manchester-by-the-Sea shorelines.

Lighthouses in Rockport, MA

Straitsmouth Island Light

Straitsmouth Island Lighthouse was built in 1835 to mark the entrance to nearby Rockport Harbor. The Town of Rockport owns the tower and the 1.8 acres it stands on. The light remains an active aid to navigation, with the light and fog signals maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. Mass Audubon Society owns the 31-acre island, maintaining it as a bird and wildlife sanctuary. While the lighthouse is closed to the public, you can view it by boat or distantly from the end of Bearskin Neck in Rockport. The light station is easily seen from the end of Bear Skin Neck in Rockport.  

Cape Ann Light Station on Thatcher Island

These twin lights are the only surviving multiple lights on the coasts of the United States. The original 45-foot towers were constructed and lit in 1789, making them among the oldest of America’s lighthouses. Cape Ann Lighthouse featured two towers to warn ships of the Londoner Ledge, a dangerous, partly submerged reef. The stout 124-foot granite towers seen today replaced the original lights in 1861. Thatcher Island is open mid-June until mid-September and has 3 miles of groomed walking trails, a visitor center, and a museum.

Lighthouses in Beverly, MA

Hospital Point Light

Located on Bayview Ave and established in 1871, the beacon marks the deep water channel to Beverly, Salem, and Marblehead. This lighthouse is unique among others around the area due to housing a Fresnel lens that magnifies a lighthouse beam for many miles. The square pyramidal light tower is 45 feet (14 m) tall, made of white painted brick, and is topped with a 10-sided lantern, while the keeper’s house is an example of Queen Anne style architecture. The lighthouse is part of a private residence, but you can view the light station from Bayview Ave. 

Lighthouses in Newburyport, MA

Newburyport Harbor Light

Newburyport Harbor Light stands at the northern tip of Plum Island, at the entrance of the Merrimack River. Built in 1788, the light station guided ships through the Newburyport Harbor. The tower was traditionally painted white on the upper third of the river-facing side, with a thick white stripe down the rest of the facade. Now, that side is painted entirely white, while the other three sides are unpainted. In 1898, the lighthouse tower was replaced to create a more durable structure, ensuring it could continue to aid sailors for years to come. Check out a Newburyport Harbor Light Tour, where you can climb the tower to the lantern room, learn about the history of the lighthouse, and explore Plum Island. Note: Visitors must be five years old. Sneakers and shoes are required to climb the lighthouse staircase and ladder.

During your journey around areas North of Boston, why not make a stop at one of these breathtaking lighthouses? And make sure to explore more things to do in these notable coastal towns.