Bakers Island Light is a historic lighthouse on Bakers Island in Salem, Massachusetts.[2][3][4] The station was originally established in 1791, with a daymark. This was replaced in 1798 by two lights atop a keeper's house, one at each end. After storm damage in 1815, an octagonal stone tower was constructed. The current round stone tower was added in 1820. The 1820 tower was taller, leading to the names "Ma" and "Pa". The two remained in service until 1926, when the older, shorter tower was removed.[2]

Bakers Island Light
Map
LocationE of Salem on Bakers Island, Salem, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°32′11.2″N 70°47′9.3″W / 42.536444°N 70.785917°W / 42.536444; -70.785917
Tower
Constructed1791
FoundationGranite
ConstructionGranite and concrete
Automated1972
Height59 feet (18 m)
ShapeConical
MarkingsWhite with black lantern
HeritageNational Register of Historic Places listed place Edit this on Wikidata
Fog signalHorn: 1 every 30s
Light
First lit1821 (current tower)
Focal height111 feet (34 m)
Lens4th order Fresnel lens (original), 7.5 inches (190 mm) (current)
RangeWhite 16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi)
Red 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi)
CharacteristicAlternating White and Red 20s
Baker's Island Light Station
Area11.5 acres (4.7 ha)
Built1821
MPSLighthouses of Massachusetts TR (AD)
NRHP reference No.76000289[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 21, 1976

The light was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Baker's Island Light Station in 1976.

Nomenclature

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The City of Salem, the Coast Guard, and NOAA spell the name without an apostrophe, but the National Register of Historic Places includes it. The name is always written with the "s".[5]

 
A USCG photo circa 1925
 
Bakers Island Lighthouse 2020

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Massachusetts". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
  3. ^ Light List, Volume I, Atlantic Coast, St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. 2009. p. 5.
  4. ^ Rowlett, Russ (2009-12-14). "Lighthouses of the United States: Northern Massachusetts". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  5. ^ "National Register Historic Districts & Landmarks" (PDF). City of Salem. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-07.