Eastern Point Lighthouse
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Built in 1832
Location:
Marking the eastern side of the entrance to Gloucester Harbor. Outside grounds along the jetty are open to the public year round.
Latitude: 42° 34' 49" N
Longitude: 70° 39' 52" W
Historic Stories:
A daymarker was placed at Eastern Point before the end of 1829 as many petitioned for a lighthouse. However, approval for construction was delayed pusposely by President Andrew Jackson as he found out that Gloucester had voted against him in the election.
Eastern Point Lighthouse was finally approved by Congress and constructed in 1832.
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Eastern Point Light |
The first keeper was Samuel Wonson, who stayed on until 1849
With the arrival of the railroad in 1847, it provided such a huge amount of business in transporting products from its ports that Gloucester grew into one of the world’s largest fishing ports in the 19th century. Today it is America’s oldest fishing port.
The lighthouse was built to guide mariners into busy Gloucester Harbor safely, and was rebuilt two more times at its current location. The 2,200 foot breakwater was built between 1894 and 1902 and is a main attraction for visitors to the lighthouse to observe the lighthouse from the water. Many observers can view the rocks at a certain angle where the lighthouse is located to see an outline in the rocks of "Mother Ann," resembling the shape of a reclining woman.
At the end of the breakwater is another light, called the Gloucester Breakwater Light, which was established to mark dangerous Dog Bar Reef nearby. A severe gale storm in March 1931 dislodged stones along the breakwater, washed away the boat slip, and cut the cable to this light and fog signal. The early keepers at Eastern Point Light also had the duty of tending this small but important light, which became a dangerous task when the stone breakwater was covered in ice during winter or facing violent storms with breaking waves. Today, an automatic sensor is used.
Breakwater Rescue at Eastern Point Light
With the completion of the nearly half-mile breakwater, many visitors today walk along this structure to enjoy spectacular views. However, some venture out during violent weather for a different perspective, which can sometimes become deadly.
During a stormy day in November 1974, Coast Guardsman Robert Foley and his assistant, Rodney Jacobson, were working on the lighthouse tower when they spotted two young men on the breakwater getting sprayed by the crashing waves. Suddenly, a huge rogue wave broke over the rocks and washed them over into the freezing waters. There were a few other bystanders nearby on the breaker who witnessed the incident, and who were also in danger of being swept over.
Foley ran to call the police and nearby lifeboat station while Jacobson launched a small boat at the shore. As he tried to maneuver his little craft using a paddle to rescue the two young men, one of them panicked trying to get into the boat and overturned it, dumping Jacobson into the icy waters. Jacobson remained calm, and, realizing the frightened man could not swim, managed to pull him onto the overturned boat, and instructed him to hold on. Luckily, the young man's friend was nearby and swam to the boat and held on with his buddy.
One of the bystanders on the breakwater jumped in the water to help and stayed with the two young men to provide assurance, while Jacobson, nearly exhausted, swam quickly to shore to retrieve a line to haul the boat in. Luckily, he was met by Foley who had found George Doucette to assist in the rescue. Freezing from the cold waters, he grabbed a rope and ran along the breakwater to throw a line to attach to the boat while Foley and Doucette went into the water. The three rescuers were able to maneuver the submerged boat with the two young men to the shore to safety.
The bystander who helped in the rescue was able to swim to shore safely along with a few other young men who had also become victims of the crashing waves, as each assisted one another to reach the waters edge. Firemen and police arrived at the scene to help as a crowd gathered. In all, six young men were brought to the hospital and treated with no major injuries, while the three exhausted rescuers dried off at the lighthouse and had a shot of brandy to warm their insides, happy that the rescue was a success.
![lobsterboat passes by Eastern Point light]](images/eastern_point_light2.jpg)
The dangerous blizzard of February, 1978, brought swelling seas crashing against the buildings at Eastern Point Light. Much damage was done to several buildings and to much of the station's machinery.
Eastern Point was automated in 1985, and the great grandson of the first keeper Samuel Wonson, local resident Carroll Wonson, was given the honor of being the last person to manually turn on the light.
Places to Visit Nearby:
America's oldest seaport, in Gloucester you’ll find a thriving community steeped in history, the arts, and maritime culture. There are also plenty of places to eat here. Gloucester is still one of the main commercial fishing ports in Massachusetts and offers plenty of deep-sea fishing and whale watching excursions; some may pass close to the lighthouse. The Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial Statue is a national icon that looks out over Gloucester Harbor as a memorial to those that lost their lives in this challenging industry. There is also a "Fisherman's Wives Memorial" nearby, dedicated to the families who suffered from the loss of husbands, sons, and brothers.
The Beauport Museum is a beautiful 40-room mansion sitting on the rocks along Gloucester Harbor, visited by many of the famous including Eleanor Roosevelt. Hammond Castle allows visitors to explore on their own, this medieval-style structure built by famed inventor James Hammond for his wife.
| Enjoy sailing on classic schooners (or windjammers) in Gloucester aboard either the Adventure, or the Thomas E. Lannon, or the Ardelle. |
Thomas Lannon passes by Hammond Castle |
Maritime Gloucester is a non-profit organization offering a working waterfront museum, with educational workshops and camps, an aquarium, galleries, and the classic schooner Adventure. It’s a restored 1926 Gloucester Dory Fishing Schooner that is deemed a national historic landmark and open for sailing and educational dockside tours. The schooner Ardelle provides educational workshops, boat building workshops, and music sails departing also from the Gloucester Maritime Center. The schooner Thomas E. Lannon provides sunset sails and two-hour sails around Gloucester Harbor. Master boat builder Harold Burnham built both the Schooner Ardelle, and the schooner Thomas E. Lannon locally in Essex with plenty of volunteers and other builders who want to keep the heritage of these vessels alive. Both vessels are available for private and public sails.
The area is also a thriving with artists from all backgrounds from paint, to photography, to music, to theater. The Cape Anne Museum for instance, offers exhibits and events in art, history and culture of the Cape Ann area. The Rocky Neck Art Colony in East Gloucester is the oldest continuously operating art colony in America.
| Visitors can drive to Gloucester’s Eastern Point Light and hike along the half-mile jetty to gain a unique perspective to the lighthouse. |  |
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Along the drive to the lighthouse you’ll find plenty of historic mansions to gaze at from the road as you’ll also notice “Private Road” signs, but you can still drive through to the lighthouse. The lighthouse has an ample parking area and a long jetty to walk out and provides nice views of the lighthouse from the water perspective.
Directions to Eastern Point Light:
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From the junction of Highways 127 and 128 in downtown Gloucester, go right (east) on East Main Street for just over a mile, where the road will become Eastern Point Road. Follow along the harbor edge.
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Continue on Eastern Point Road about a half-mile to Eastern Point Boulevard. Continue bearing to the right as you follow along the harbor edge.
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After you pass the Rocky Neck Art colony you'll pass a small private beach and a "Private Road" sign between two stone small columns which you can drive through to get to the lighthouse. Follow along the beach past some beautiful mansions. If you are ever stopped, just tell security you are going strictly to the lighthouse.
- When you come to the yacht club sign continue straight through to its end at a parking area near the lighthouse. Again, you will see "Private Road" signs posted along the way, but access to the lighthouse is allowed. Do not stop to take pictures of any of the private residences.
- The lighthouse area is privately owned so stay outside the fence area. When you arrive at the parking lot, you will need to pay a $5.00 fee to the Audubon Society as the area is now known as part of the Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary.
- There is a nearly half-mile long breakwater to walk on for a nice waterside view of the lighthouse.
Directions to Gloucester's Rose Wharf
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Take Route 128 north to Exit 10, Gloucester.
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Bear right onto Eastern Avenue and follow to a stop sign at Main Street.
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Bear right onto Main Street.
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Rose's Wharf is 1/4 mile on the left opposite a gas station and the Crow’s Nest Pub.
Local Boat Tours
Boat cruises mentioned below may offer many types of cruises. While some may offer specific lighthouse cruises, some will pass by specific lighthouses as part of charters, narrated wildlife and historic tours, ferrying passengers, whale watching, fishing tours and other types of excursions. Most boats pass by Eastern Point Lighthouse coming out of and going into Gloucester Harbor.
Harbor Tours Inc. of Cape Ann
In addition to its lobstering and harbor tours, they provide a special Cape Ann Lighthouse Cruise all along Cape Ann that covers six area lighthouses.
P.O. Box 719
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 283-1979
Email: info@capeannharbortours.com.
7 Seas Whale Watch
In addition to whaling and deep sea fishing excursions, offers narrative Lighthouse and Lobstering tour that includes Ten Pound Island Light and Eastern Point Light as part of their Outer Harbor Tour as a charter service for large groups.
Seven Sea's Whale Watch
63 Rogers Street (next to the Gloucester House Restaurant)
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
1-888-283-1776
Schooner Thomas E. Lannon
This 2-masted 65-foot fishing schooner (90-feet overall) is framed with white oak and black locust from trees grown locally. Her hull is planked with white oak below the waterline and with elegant mahogany above the waterline, with masts of Douglas fir. She has mostly 2-hour public sails, which include sunset, music, star gazing, moonlight, and fireworks, along with Tuesday Special and Sunday morning sailing cruises. Charters are also available.
Seven Seas Wharf at The Gloucester House
Restaurant
63 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone: (978) 281-6634
Email: info@schooner.org
Books to Explore
New England's Haunted Lighthouses: 
Available in paperback. |
Discover the historical mysteries surrounding the haunted lighthouses of New England! This image-rich book features ghostly tales of devoted keepers who refuse to leave, ghost ships, shipwreck victims, and restless spirits searching for peace. These stories offer a glimpse into the past, intertwining factual events and history with maritime legends, myths, and lore. Immerse yourself in the spectral stories associated with these iconic beacons! |
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts This 300-page book provides special human interest stories from all the 92 lighthouses of southern New England, along with plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions and tours to go exploring. You'll also find over 360 images for reference, whale watching and windjammer info, and stories of haunted lighthouses. Look inside! |
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Available in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
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The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders fiercely competed to construct the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants of sail were the ten original six-masted coal schooners and one colossal seven-masted vessel, measuring longer than a football field! This book, balanced with plenty of color and vintage images, showcases the historical accounts that followed these mighty ships. |
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: This 300-page book provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses all along the northeast coast of northern New England, with plenty of coastal attractions and tours near each beacon. You'll find lots of tours and lighthouse info all around the Acadia region. Enjoy! Look inside! |
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