"The ever-shifting battalion of sandbars, or shoals, lurking beneath
the waters that surround Nantucket have caused between 700 and 800
shipwrecks in recorded history. All three of Nantucket's lighthouses
were originally built as navigational tools, but today, modern
technology has rendered the island's most iconic lighthouse useful only
for our viewing pleasure.
For those who arrive on Nantucket via
ferry, the lighthouse on Brant Point (officially named Brant Point
Light) is the little wooden welcome that ushers folks to the island.
First erected in 1746, the Brant Point Light is America's second oldest
lighthouse. (Some rumors claim a bonfire existed there as early as
1700.) The Brant Point Light is only 26 feet tall, making it the
shortest lighthouse in all of New England! Small but mighty, its red
light flashes every four seconds, and is visible ten miles out.
In
1987, Brant Point Light became a part of The National Register of
Historic Places, placing itself in good company with Frank Lloyd
Wright's Robie House, Martin Luther King Jr.'s grave, the Wright Flyer
III (the third plane of the Wright brothers), and thousands of other
sites of significance. But life hasn't always been rosy for this brave
little beacon; the current structure is actually the 10th one that has
sat at the location. As one might imagine, some were torn down by
ferocious Nor'easters. Others were simply built cheaply. Two of them
actually burned down; and still others rotted and were condemned. The
existing structure has lasted for over 110 years and is emblematic above
all; visitors toss a penny into the sea as they round the point leaving
the harbor to ensure that they return someday to the Grey Lady's
welcoming arms."
Molly
oh that was interesting Molly! what a great idea to have this bloghop so we can learn a lot about the place of our friends!!!
ReplyDeleteOhhhh Molly Mom has never been to Nantucket either and would like to go.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see Angels Maggie and Mitch and there at they end are you looking like a super model
Thanks for pawticipating in the fun event. We are enjoying all the lighthouses in Blogville.
Hugs madi and mom
That's so beautiful! Our peeps have never been to Nantucket (nor have we), but one of mom's long-time friends (since Kindergarten!) lives there. She hopes to go visit her one day.
ReplyDeleteCammie!
Oh I do hopes you get to see that Lighthouse in the furs Molly, it certainly looks a VERY interesting place to visit, we only know of Nantucket from Mum's cross stitch kits!
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
We've never seen a lighthouse but Mom has and she loves them. We think since we're water dogs , we should visit some lighthouses.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the history of the Nantucket lighthouse. We would like to visit there too!!
ReplyDeleteWe hope you get to visit there sometime, Molly! Looks like a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautimous lighthouse! Mama has been to MArtha's Vineyard, but never Nantucket...maybe she'll take us there one day!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Rosy, Jakey & Arty
That's a great little beacon...for safety and to visit. We hope you can make the trip there, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute wee lighthouse. Molly you absolutely must insist on being taken there one day.
ReplyDeleteToodle pip!
Bertie.
Molly, we love this post so much. We are really happy to learn so much about the Nantucket lighthouse. We can't believe had long it has been there. We hope you get to one day visit there. Thanks for the share. Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteWorld of Animals
Wow! What a perfect lighthouse and a great story to go along with it.
ReplyDeleteWe are finding out that most lighthouses are very old!
ReplyDeletehugs
Hazel & Mabel
That's a beautiful old lighthouse! Somehow, it struck me as ironic that a couple of the previous lighthouses burned down, right next to an ocean of water!
ReplyDeleteI went to Nantucket a long time ago but I don't remember the lighthouse. If I go back, I'll pay attention!
I have always loved lighthouses, too. Ruby saw her first one when we visited MA earlier in the summer.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute lighthouse. We hope you get to visit it some day too.
ReplyDelete