Notes:
(1) East Chop Light was built on the eastern point of Vineyard Haven Harbor by Captain Silas Daggett as a Private Aid to Navigation in 1869.  He tended the Lighthouse for 7 years.

      In 1646, Thomas Mayhew named the point the “Easternmost Chop of Homes Hole” to distinguish the two bluffs at the entrance of Homes Hole Harbor (Vineyard Haven Harbor). The word “Chop” describes the land on the side of river’s mouth, channel, or harbor.

      In 1828, Edgartown merchants* established a semaphore station on Telegraph Hill to signal news of ships arriving at Nantucket.  From the stations’ Tower, a signaler can see Nobska Light in Woods Hole across the Sound.  Cargo information was conveyed to stations at Nantucket, Woods Hole, Plymouth, Duxbury, and Boston by raising hand-held signal flags in a particular pattern.  The Semaphore flag signaling system was terminated in 1834.

      For the next 32 years, East Chop remained primarily unpopulated.  The Oak Bluffs Land & Wharf Company began developing the town as the Vineyard’s first summer resort in 1866.  A private Lighthouse was built on Telegraph Hill, a 37-feet high headland at East Chop, by Captain Silas Daggett in 1869.  Local merchants contributed to the Light’s maintenance.

      By 1869, both East Chop Light and West Chop Light marked the entrance to the primary harbor of Martha’s Vineyard during the period when the Sounds of Cape Cod were busy shipping lanes for commerce and both Lighthouses were important aids to the developing summer resort at East Chop presently called Oak Bluffs.

      In 1871, the private Lighthouse was destroyed by fire and Captain Silas Daggett rebuilt the Light on top of his house in 1872.  The federal government purchased the Lighthouse and property for $5,000 in 1876.

      In 1877, the present 40-feet high conical cast-iron Lighthouse was built.  The Daymark of the Tower was painted red and brown and East Chop Light was commonly called the “Chocolate Lighthouse” until 1988 when the Tower was painted white.


      In 1933, East Chop Light was automated and the Keeper’s house was razed after the last Lightkeeper, George Walter Purdy refused to pay rent of $100 a month.  The original Fresnel lens was refitted by a 300 mm plastic Lens in 1984.  Today, East Chop Light is a important active aid flashing a Green Light every 6-seconds to warn navigation of the headland on the left side of the harbor.

*East Chop was a region of Edgartown until 1880.  On Feb. 17, 1880, the town became incorporated as Cottage City, named for the summer Victorian cottages.  Cottage City was renamed Oak Bluffs in 1907.

(2) Directions:
      There are at seven Ferries to Martha’s Vineyard: from Woods Hole, from Falmouth to Edgartown, from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs and from Hyannis on Cape Cod, Massachusetts; from Nantucket and New Bedford, Massachusetts; and a Ferry leaves from Montauk, NY.

      Since there are several ferry landings on the island, further driving directions are from the ferry terminal in Vineyard Haven:  Turn Left onto Beach Road to Eastville Avenue.  Turn Left onto Highland Drive/ East Chop Drive and travel the road to the Lighthouse.


      From Ferries approaching Vineyard Haven Harbor, East Chop Light can be viewed from the port side and West Chop Light can be viewed from the starboard side.  Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society offers Sunset Lighthouse tours during the summer.

      A Sailing Cruise departs from historic Edgartown Harbor exploring the harbors and coastline around Martha’s Vineyard.  Depending upon the course, all five island Lighthouses may be seen from the water.

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      In season, several companies provide 2-1/2 hour Sightseeing Bus tours of the island that may pass by four of the island’s Lighthouses.