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Hospital Point Lighthouse

Hospital Point lighthouse

Beverly, Massachusetts
Built in 1872

 

Location:

Located at the water's edge in Beverly Harbor.
Privately Owned.

Latitude: 42° 32' 47" N
Longitude: 70° 51' 23" W

 

 

Historic Stories:

Hospital Point received its name from a smallpox hospital built nearby in 1801. It was destroyed by fire in 1849.

The Hospital Point Lighthouse was built in 1872 in Beverly as part of a system of three lighthouses to guide shipping traffic around Salem Harbor. The two other lighthouses, Derby Wharf and Fort Pickering (Winter Island) were built outside the city of Salem, Massachusetts.

Hospital Point rear range light Hospital Point was once part of two range lights, the other light from the spire of the First Baptist Church in downtown Beverly.

Joseph Henry Herrick served at Hospital Point from 1873 to 1917. Making him the longest serving keeper. He was also from Beverly, served in the Civil War, and at one time was a shoemaker in the city.

In the early 1900's the area around Hospital Point light become known as the local "lover's lane".

President William Howard Taft (1909–1912) had a summer home located between Hospital Point and Beverly Cove. His 12-year old son Charlie tried to climb the tower one day and became sick, and was helped done to the base, where he felt better. Some believe it may have been a slight fear of heights

 

 

Places to Visit Nearby:

Historic Beverly is an affluent community with quaint shops and restaurants, beautifully decorated homes, and plenty of community events. The North Shore Music Theater in Beverly offers professional concerts and theater events for everyone.

Lynch Park provides a nice area for solace and recreation by the harbor, and a close view of the lighthouse. Hospital Point light view from street

Many other parks and beaches are located in this community.

The lighthouse can be viewed from Bayview Avenue in Beverly. Although the lighthouse is closed to the public (private residence), the Coast Guard opens the lighthouse in conjunction with the Essex National Heritage Area annual "Trails and Sails" events each September.

 

Directions:

Location of Range Light: Hospital Point was once part of two range lights. The second signal was built from the remains of a lightship. The “rear” light is located in the steeple of the First Baptist Church in Beverly at 221 Cabot Street.

Directions:

 

Contact Info:
First U.S. Coast Guard District
408 Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02210

 

Local Boat Tour For Visitors

Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters
Among daily cruises in Salem Harbor, they provide specialized lighthouse cruises as part of their Early Summer Lighthouse Cruise and the Lighthouse Fall Foliage and Chowda Cruise.
P.O. Box 3063
Salem, MA
Phone: (800) 992-MAHI (6244)
E-mail: info@mahicruises.com

 

 

My book, Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, provides special human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses, along with plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions and tours, along with contact info.

Look inside!

book about lighthouses and local coastal atttractions in southern New England

 

 

 

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