Boston Light

History of Boston Light

Boston Light, located on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, is the first lighthouse established in what is now the United States, first lit on September 14, 1716. It has guided mariners through the treacherous waters of Boston Harbor for over three centuries. Below is a detailed history of this iconic lighthouse, followed by a list of its known keepers and sources for further reading.

Early History and Construction

In the early 1700s, Boston was Britain’s busiest North American port, but its harbor was difficult to navigate due to shifting tides, hidden rocks, and shoals. Frequent shipwrecks prompted merchants to petition the Massachusetts colonial government in 1715 to build a lighthouse. Funded by a tonnage tax of one penny per ton on vessels and annual fees from smaller ships, the initial stone tower, at least 60 feet tall, was completed in 1716 at a cost of £2,385. It used candles and oil lamps to guide ships.

The Revolutionary War

During the American Revolution, Boston Light became a strategic asset. In 1774, British forces occupied it to guide their ships. On July 20, 1775, American troops under Major Joseph Vose burned the wooden parts of the lighthouse to disrupt British operations. The British attempted repairs, but on July 31, 1775, General George Washington sent Major Benjamin Tupper with 300 men in whaleboats to attack, defeating the British guard and destroying the repairs. As the British evacuated Boston Harbor on June 13, 1776, they detonated the lighthouse, leaving only ruins, with the metal lantern later repurposed for American cannons.

Reconstruction and Federal Ownership

After the war, the Massachusetts Legislature allocated £1,450 in 1783 to rebuild the lighthouse, possibly using parts of the original base. The new 75-foot conical rubblestone tower had walls 7 feet 6 inches thick at the base, tapering to 2 feet 6 inches at the top. Thomas Knox became the first post-Revolution keeper. In 1790, the lighthouse was ceded to the federal government, marking its transition to national oversight.

19th Century Improvements

In 1859, the lighthouse was upgraded significantly. The tower was raised to 89 feet, and a second-order Fresnel lens, 11 feet tall with a 15-foot circumference, was installed, producing a flash every ten seconds visible up to 27 nautical miles. The tower was lined with brick, a new duplex keeper’s house was built, and a brick entryway was added. By 1861, it was staffed by a head keeper and two assistants. A fog cannon, used since 1719, was replaced by a 1,375-pound fog bell in 1851.

20th Century and Automation

Electrification in 1948 reduced keepers’ manual tasks. In 1959, the Coast Guard made it a male-only station. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, Boston Light gained protected status. A 1989 bill by Senator Edward M. Kennedy mandated it remain staffed, making it the last manned lighthouse in the U.S. It was automated in 1998, but a keeper stayed on for maintenance and tours.

Modern Era and Sally Snowman

In 2003, Dr. Sally Snowman became the 70th keeper, the first civilian and woman in the role, serving until her retirement in December 2023, marking the end of official U.S. lighthouse keepers. A historian and author, she maintained the lighthouse, led tours, and wore period clothing to educate visitors. After failing a 2018 safety inspection due to water quality, she commuted from North Weymouth. In 2023, Boston Light was sold to a private owner tasked with preserving its history. It remains an active navigational aid with its Fresnel lens and foghorn.

List of Boston Light Keepers

• George Worthylake (1716–1718): First keeper, drowned with his wife, daughter, and others in 1718.
• Robert Saunders (1718): Second keeper, drowned days after appointment.
• John Chamberlin (1718): Interim keeper, drowned with Saunders.
• John Hayes (1718–1734): Installed a fog cannon in 1719, served until 1734.
• Robert Ball (1734–1774): Served as keeper and harbor pilot; may have left with the British in 1776.
• William Minns (1774–1775): Nephew of Robert Ball, served briefly during the Revolutionary War.
• Thomas Knox (1783–unknown): First post-Revolution keeper after the 1783 reconstruction.
• Tobias Cook (1840s–1849): Removed after running a cigar factory employing women under poor conditions.
• James L. Hart (1919–1926): Commended for assisting vessels in distress.
• Tom Small (1920s): Second Assistant Keeper, rescued after his boat capsized in 1921; involved in a 1929 fire incident.
• Joseph LaVigne (1948–1950): Coast Guard keeper during electrification.
• Sally Snowman (2003–2023): First civilian and female keeper, retired as the last official U.S. lighthouse keeper.

Note: This list includes only keepers explicitly mentioned in available sources. Additional keepers served, but records are incomplete.

Sources