Notes:
(1) Eastern Point Lighthouse was built at Gloucester’s Eastern Point to mark the entrance to the harbor.

      In 1623, Gloucester was settled as the second permanent settlement of the early Pilgrims in America.  Early settlers depended on the sea for survival and Gloucester Harbor’s first fishing wharf was built in 1624 by the Pilgrims who settled an area now known as Stage Fort Park.

      Gloucester Harbor became America’s First Fishing Seaport due to the plentiful fishing grounds of George’s Bank nearby.  In 1713, the fisheries became Gloucester’s leading business when Captain Andrew Robinson built the first fishing schooner which allowed fishermen to reach the new fishing grounds.

      Until 1829, trees at Eastern Point marked the entrance to Gloucester Harbor.  A Daymark was erected in 1829 to replace the decaying trees.  By 1832, the shore fishery was at its height with a record of 6,463 tons* and Eastern Point Lighthouse was built to guide the fishing fleet safely to port.  A 30-feet high stone Lighthouse was erected and First Lit on Jan 1, 1832 exhibiting a Fixed White light illuminated by ten oil lamps and reflectors.

      In 1843, I.W.P. Lewis, Civil Engineer to the U.S. Light-house Survey, noted the deteriorating Lighthouse was leaky and needed rebuilding due to the importance of the harbor.  Lewis noted that “there is also a considerable amount of tonnage owned at this place, employed in foreign voyages,” and as many as 200 vessels sail into the harbor to escape approaching gales.  He also reported Gloucester Harbor was beneficial to the fishing industry and mackerel fishermen.

      In 1847, Gloucester’s fishing industry became one of the world’s largest fishing seaports due to the opening of the Gloucester railroad branch from Salem.  A new Lighthouse was built in 1848 (see Note 2) for guiding the prosperous fishing fleet and international maritime commerce into port.

      In 1857, the optic was refitted with a Fourth-order Fresnel lens and a hand-wound machine operated fog bell was installed.  The present Eastern Point Light was built in 1890 and attached to the Keeper’s house by a covered walkway.

      From 1894 to 1902, a 2,250-foot long breakwater was constructed and Gloucester Breakwater Light was erected at the end of this breakwater to mark the dangerous Dog Bar Reef.  The Keeper became responsible for keeping both Lights.  In 1897, the Lighthouse was converted to electricity and a 4,000 pound steam-driven fog bell was installed.

      Scenes of the Eastern Point Lighthouse are in the movie, “THE PERFECT STORM,” a film documenting the loss of the 70-feet Swordfishing Boat, Andrea Gail, and her crew caused by a devastating storm of the century originally named the “Halloween Gale,” or the “No-name Northeaster of ’91.”

*In comparison, current off-shore fishing nets 50,000 tons of fish annually.

(2) Lighthouse rebuilt:

1848: A 34-feet high Lighthouse exhibiting a Fixed Red Light illuminated by 11 Sperm Oil Lamps and reflectors.
1890: The present Eastern Point 36-feet high White Conical brick Lighthouse was built.

(3) Lighted throughout 24 hours. Emergency light of reduced intensity when main light is extinguished.

(4) Original Fourth-order Fresnel Lens on Display at Cape Ann Historical Association Museum, Gloucester.

1832 Optic: 10 Sperm Oil Lamps and reflectors, Fixed Red .
1857: Refitted Optic increased the Light’s Range from 11 to 13 miles.
1882: The Light’s characteristic was changed from Fixed to Flashing Red.

(5) Fog Signals:

1857: A hand-wound fog bell was installed.
1897: Replaced by a 4,000 pound steam-driven fog bell, double blow every 20 seconds.

(6) Directions from Rt 127 traveling East through Gloucester:
      Right turn onto East Main Street which becomes Eastern Point Road, Right turn onto Eastern Point Boulevard, and travel to parking area at the Lighthouse.  “Private road” signs may be posted near Eastern Point yet visitors are allowed to drive to the lighthouse.


      The Lighthouse grounds are private yet there are paths to the breakwater which is popular place for fishing and walking.  Eastern Point Lighthouse can also be viewed by private boat or by a Lighthouse cruise provided by several Cruise companies:

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