Notes:
(1) Long Point Light was built to mark the entrance to Provincetown Harbor. The Lighthouse is located at the end of a sandy spit that protects the large deep safe harbor.

      In 1602, Cape Cod was named by the European explorer, Bartholomew Gosnold who explored the bay of the peninsula and described Provincetown as a “harbour wherein may anchor a thousand ships, and there we tooke great stoare of codfysshes.”

      In 1620, the Pilgrims first landed at Provincetown on November 11th (November 21st, New Calendar).  The Mayflower, originally en route to the colony in Virginia, was enmeshed in a dangerous rip current east of Monomoy and a miraculous change of wind allowed Captain Jones to sail free of the Rip and set a course to Cape Cod Bay.  The Mayflower Compact was signed by the Pilgrims at Provincetown as an agreement of self-government by a free people and the foundation of democratic government in America.  Due to the lack of fresh water, the Pilgrims settled the Plymouth colony.

      Long Point, located at the end of the sand spit, “the fingertip of the curling arm of Cape Cod,” is a natural low-lying landmark that marks the entrance to Provincetown Harbor.  In 1818, a fishing village was settled on Long Point due the abundance of fish in Provincetown Harbor and Cape Cod Bay.  Rainwater was collected in cisterns and barrels to supply fresh water. The natural safety of this harbor provided rapid growth from a small fishing village in 1818 to one of the busiest and prosperous seaports by the mid 1800s as noted by a fleet of over 700 ships, 56 wharves, and 78 saltworks.

      By 1826, the Long Point village expanded to include a saltworks with 6 windmills and a wharf where whale blubber was rendered into oil for lighting and lubrication.  A Lighthouse was needed to safely guide the expanding fishing and whaling vessels into the harbor of the thriving Long Point village and Provincetown.  A typical Cape Cod style Lighthouse with a Tower and Lantern room extending above the roof was constructed in 1826 exhibiting a Fixed Light 35-feet above mean high water and visible for 13-miles.


      In 1843, I.W.P. Lewis, Civil Engineer to the U.S. Light-house Survey, reported the Lantern of Long Point Light was illuminated by ten Lewis Patent lamps and reflectors with one Lamp obstructed by the Lantern Room’s door wasting oil over the past 18-years at a cost of $900.  The wooden Lighthouse was built on piles and protected from the surf by a barrier of sand and spruce logs, and a small stone Breakwater.

      By 1846, the Long Point fishing village was at its peak with 200 residents and 38 homes. Provincetown, with one of the largest and safest natural harbor on the New England coast, became a prosperous busy fishing seaport.  By 1850, village of Long Point was dwindling because the village no longer offered an advantage due the migration of fish to other regions and the improved transportation of salt from Syracuse, New York through the Erie Canal.  Over the years, Long Point houses were floated by boat across the harbor to Provincetown’s West End.  The last home was moved in 1867 and each relocated home is marked by blue and white plaques showing a house on a raft with the Long Point Lighthouse in the background.

      By 1854, Provincetown became the third largest whaling port after Nantucket and New Bedford, Massachusetts.  At times, 700 ships were crowded in the harbor waiting to dock at the 54 long wharves during Provincetown’s Golden Era (the latter half of the 1800s).  Fifty-six whaling ships, a mackerel fleet, Grand Bankers, and Georges Bankers, sailed from the successful seaport of Provincetown.

      In 1856, the Lewis Patent lamps and reflectors of the Long Point Lighthouse were refitted with a Fifth-order Fresnel lens.  In 1861, two sand embankments with cannons were built on Long Point to protect Provincetown during the Civil War.  Residents were concerned their harbor would be blockaded by the South similar to the British Naval blockades of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The soldiers were never engaged in battle and the forts were soon called “Fort Useless” and “Fort Ridiculous.”  After the end of the Civil War, the head officer, John Rosenthal entertained Provincetown residents by firing greetings from the forts during July 4th celebrations.

      In 1873, a inspection report noted that “the entire structure is in danger of being carried off by a heavy storm.”  Congress appropriated $13,000 for a new Lighthouse, Keeper’s house and Fog signal.  The present 38-feet high White Square Brick Lighthouse was built in 1875 exhibiting a Fixed White light illuminated by a Fifth-order Fresnel lens.  In addition, a 1-1/2 story Keeper’s house was constructed and a 1,200 pound Fog bell was installed.  In 1904, a oil house was built.


      In 1952, Long Point Light was automated and the Fresnel lens was replaced by a modern optic.  In 1982, The Keeper’s house and Fog signal building were razed after Light was refitted with 300mm optic powered by solar panels.  Only the Light Tower remains as an active aid to navigation.

      Today, Provincetown still has the largest commercial fishing fleet on Cape Cod, is the home of one the nation’s oldest Art Colonies since 1899 when Charles W. Hawthorne opened his Cape Cod School of Art, and is a popular tourist destination.

(2) The optic was refitted with a Fifth-order Fresnel Lens in 1856.

(3) Directions from the easy route to the adventurous route:

A. Leisurely view the Lighthouse from aboard the Ferry from Plymouth.


      During the summer, the Lighthouse grounds are accessible via a boat shuttle operated by the Flyer’s from Provincetown’s West End.

General Directions to Provincetown:
      After crossing the Sagamore Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal, Drive east on Route 6 to Provincetown.

B. View Long Point Light from Whale Watching Cruises leaving from Provincetown Harbor:


C. Several companies and organizations may schedule occasional Lighthouse cruises passing Long Point Lighthouse: