Annisquam Harbor Lighthouse
Annisquam, Massachusetts
Built in 1801
Location:
At what is known as Wigwam Point marking the entrance to Annisquam Harbor. The lighthouse is on Lighthouse Road off from Wigwam Road.
| Latitude: 42° 39' 43" N Longitude: -70° 40' 52" W |
Historic Stories:
Wigwam Point near the current lighthouse was once a gathering place for local Native Americans. The lighthouse was built at the entrance to Annisquam Harbor in 1801, than replaced in 1897.
The first Keeper, George Day, tended the lighthouse from 1801 to 1850. He was allowed to keep a cow by the station for sometime to provide milk for his family.
Rudyard Kipling stayed at the station once to work on his book, Captain’s Courageous.
1n 1890, the schooner Mexican with a cargo of coal, got got in a September nor 'easter and wrecked about 500 ft from the lighthouse. The crew made it ashore, from the wreck, and that winter, many locals salvaged the stranded coal for their heat.
In 1922, a newly developed electrified fourth-order lens was added to the lighthouse with a single light source…a 100-watt light bulb. The light could be viewed eight nautical miles out.
Places to Visit Nearby:
You can sometimes visit the station grounds if you can make an appointment beforehand. At Norwood Heights road, there is a small parking lot near the lighthouse to view for a limited amount of time during the summer season. There is a beach nearby the lighthouse that provides nice views of the lighthouse, especially in the off-season.
During the summer months the beach is open to residents only. Wingaersheek Beach located across the river in Gloucester, displays a nice view of the lighthouse. You can hang out at the beach as a non-resident during the summer months. During low tide it is possible to walk a good distance from the beach to get close to the lighthouse.
The lighthouse can also be seen on a Lighthouse Cruise offered by Harbor Tours Inc. of Cape Ann.
Directions:
Recently the lighthouse property has been purchased by a new private owner who has blocked the parking lot for security concerns. The beach nearby is also private for residents only and is strictly enforced during the summer season. With these changes if you want to try to get pictures of the lighthouse from the beach side, go there during the off season and take a few quick pictures.
- Follow Route 95 to Route 128 towards Gloucester.
- From the rotary at the junction of Highways 127 and 128 east of Gloucester, go north on Highway 127 (Washington Street) for 3 miles to Bridgewater Street. Left onto Bridgewater Street.
- Turn left onto Leonard Street (next to a white church)
- Turn right onto Norwood Heights (sign) after almost a half mile.
- Follow this road to a fork, bearing right at the fork, crossing Ocean Avenue, keeping to the left, then turn right at the “T”, and then make a quick left onto Wigwam Road.
- At the end of Wigwam Road you'll see the beach area which is part of Lighthouse Road.
- There is a small parking area that is only for local residents in front of the tiny beach as the lighthouse parking lot is closed to the public. Use your discretion and understand you are in a private area that will not allow visitors and may find yourself with a parking violation or will be towed. You may be able to call the Annisquam Town Hall and ask for quick permission to take a couple of quick photos.
Contact Info:
First U.S. Coast Guard District
408 Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 2233-8243
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.
Thacher Island Association
Trip to Thacher Island and guest accommodations
P.O.Box 73
Rockport, MA 01966
Launch (978) 546-7697
Guest Apartment (617) 599-2590
E-Mail: info@thacherisland.org
Harbor Tours Inc. of Cape Ann
P.O. Box 719
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 283-1979
email info@capeannharbortours.com.