Notes:
(1) Race Point Light was built to mark hazardous bars and a dangerous cross current, named the “race” for the strong racing currents, at the northern end of Cape Cod.

      Over 3,000 shipwrecks have occurred in the perilous waters of Cape Cod from Race Point to Monomoy Point since 1700.  Sea captains of coastal trading generally guided their ships by Piloting in early America.  Mariners sailed the coastal waters within sight of land to determine their location by observing the bearings of unique landmarks, Day-marks, and Lighthouses.

      During the Revolutionary War, the British frigate, HMS Somerset, was shipwrecked off Race Point during the pursuit of a French blockade runner on August 12, 1778 according to British sources yet American sources claim the British man-of-war went aground on Peaked Hill Bars while sailing to the safety of Provincetown Harbor during a storm on November 2, 1778.  Regardless of which account is true, the HMS Somerset was a notable shipwreck near Race Point and immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow famous poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride.”  On his ride to Lexington and Concord, Paul Revere saw the HMS Somerset blockading Boston Harbor in 1775.

      By the early 1800s, Boston was called the Gateway to the our young nation and coastal navigation between Boston and southern States needed Lighthouses to guide them safely along the coastline of Cape Cod.  Provincetown mariners requested a Lighthouse at Race Point to guide ships around the hazardous race currents at the end of Cape Cod as early as 1808.

      In 1816, a rubblestone Tower with a revolving Light 25-feet above sea level was built as Cape Cod’s third Light Station.  Race Point Light was First Lit on November 5, 1816 as one of the earliest Lighthouse to use a Revolving Illuminating Apparatus producing flashing characteristic in order to distinguish Race Point Light from Highland Light.  The Revolving Illuminating Apparatus consisted of ten Lewis Patent lamps and reflectors placed on circular service tables attached to a Pedestal rotated by clockwork.  The Whale Oil Lamps and reflectors were modified European Argand Lamps and parabolic reflectors designed by Sea Captain Winslow Lewis of Wellfleet, Massachusetts.

      A small fishing village and saltworks, called “Helltown,” was established at Herring Cove near Race Point.  Salvagers sold the jetsam of shipwrecks found on the beaches around Race Point.  According to legend, they were called mooncussers because they benefited from moon-less nights and the absence of lighthouses by using false lights to lure ships to their destruction.  Mooncussers cussed the full moons that would reveal their false lights.  Nauset and Chatham Lights also had mooncusser legends yet the salvage of shipwrecks was a legitimate business.

      In 1827, another Lighthouse was constructed on Long Point to guide mariners entering Provincetown Harbor.  Provincetown became a major fishing port due to its large deep water harbor that was accessible without a pilot.  By 1837, 78 saltworks and windmills in Provincetown were producing 50,000 bushels of sea salt for the Cape Cod fishing industry.

      In 1842, I.W.P. Lewis recognized the importance of Race Point Light to the maritime commerce from Boston, as well as shipping en route to Provincetown Harbor.  Yet, Lewis noted the illuminating power of the Light was so weak that mariners were unable to distinguish it from the lights of the fishing fleet anchored in Herring cove nearby.  He recommended replacing his uncle Winslow Lewis’ ten lamps with a reciprocating light of one good lamp and suitable reflector.

      In 1852, a Fog bell was installed at the Lighthouse and Race Point Light was refitted with a Fourth-order Fresnel lens in 1855.  By 1854, Provincetown had become the third largest whaling port after Nantucket and New Bedford, Massachusetts.  During Provincetown’s Golden Era (the latter half of the 1800s), there were 56 whaling ships, Grand Bankers and Georges Bankers, and a mackerel fleet.  At times, 700 ships were crowded in the harbor waiting to dock at the 54 long wharves.

      In 1873, a brick Fog signal building used to generate steam power for the steam-driven whistle was constructed to replace the Fog bell.  In 1874, a second Keeper’s house was built for assistant Keeper’s families.

      In 1875, the lime mortar used in the original Tower had disappeared and the Lighthouse was covered with shingles to prevent leaks. All the woodwork and shingles were rotten in the deteriorating Tower.  The present 45-feet high white brick lined Conical Cast-iron Tower was built in 1876.  The Fourth-order Fresnel lens was moved to the new Lighthouse and a new Keeper’s house was constructed.

      In 1886, Nickerson’s Whale and Menhaden Oil Works was established in Herring Cove near the Race Point Lighthouse.  The whaling industry at Provincetown ended in 1921.  Fishing continues to be important to Provincetown, which still has the largest commercial fishing fleet on Cape Cod.

      Race Point Light was converted to a electric powered 1000-watt Lamp in 1957 and the larger Gothic Revival Keeper’s house was razed in 1960.  The remaining house was renovated.  On August 7, 1961, Race Point Light Station became part of the Cape Cod National Seashore.  Race Point Light was automated in 1978 and the Coast Guard abandoned the Keeper’s house.

      In 1995, Race Point Light Station was leased to the American Lighthouse Foundation and the totally restored Keeper’s house has been an overnight guest house since 1997.

(2) Directions from Route 6 in Cape Cod:
      Drive east on Route 6 to Provincetown and the intersection with Race Point Road.  Turn right onto Race Point Road.  Keep to the right as you pass Province Lands Road.  Drive to the end of Race Point Road to the parking lot at Race Point Beach.  From the parking area, walk to the ocean near the Race Point Coast Guard Station, turn Left onto a Jeep trail, and walk about 2 miles to the Lighthouse.

      A oversand permit is required for four-wheel drive vehicles to access the beach and Jeep trail to the Lighthouse property.  Permits can be obtained from the Cape Cod National Seashore or the Race Point Coast Guard Station.  Walking the Jeep trail requires 45-minutes to one hour to reach the Lighthouse grounds which are open year-round.  At times, you may see whales from the beach since a habitat of the Northern Right Whale lies just beyond Race Point.


      Guest Lodging at the restored Keeper’s house has been operated by the American Lighthouse Foundation since 1997.  Guests need to pack their own linens, towels, food and water.  Reservations are required for overnight lodging at the Keeper’s house.
In 2007, the brick Fog Whistle House at Race Point Lighthouse was renovated as a two bedroom weekly Vacation Rental. The Whistle House is available from July 28 to Sep 8 this year.
For more information, call (508) 487-9930, eMail racepointlighthouse@comcast.net, or visit the American Lighthouse Foundation web site.

      Spectacular views of scenic Provincetown and the three Lighthouses can be seen from the top of the Pilgrim Memorial Monument which is the tallest all-granite structure in the United States.  The Monument’s Tower is 252.6-feet high and 353-feet above sea level.  The Pilgrim Memorial Monument was dedicated on August 5, 1910 to commemorate the first landing of the Pilgrims in the New World at Provincetown on November 11, 1620 and is annually lit on November 21.

      For Directions and additional information, call (508) 487-1310 or visit the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum web site.

      Several companies and organizations may schedule occasional Lighthouse cruises passing Race Point Lighthouse: