Cape Cod Lighthouses

Sankaty Head Light

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Sankaty Head Light: One of the Oldest and Last Working Lighthouses

If lighthouses fascinate you, and you want to tour all existing lighthouses, you might want to take a trip to see Sankaty Head Light. This is one of the nation’s oldest surviving and working lighthouses. Its iconic red and white bands on the tower of the lighthouse draw tourists from miles around.

Here is more information on this landmark.

History of lighthouse through today:

The lighthouse was built in 1850. It was necessary to have a lighthouse on Nantucket Island because too many boats would come too close to these loose and random islands off the coast of Massachusetts, crash, and drown everyone on board. With the erection of this lighthouse, hundreds of ships and thousands of lives were saved as a result.

The lighthouse was manned by a lighthouse keeper all the way up until 1965, when it was finally outfitted to be fully automated. It has been a fully functional, fully automated, and fully working lighthouse since and it still remains a vital life-saving lighthouse in the Nantucket islands. Very recently, most of the lower floors of the lighthouse have been converted to the Nantucket Whaling Museum in order to provide a source of income to preserve and repair the lighthouse for future generations. Additionally, in 1987, the lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2007, the lighthouse was moved from its original location. The bluff where the lighthouse had originally been built had eroded over the last 170 years and the lighthouse was in danger of falling into the ocean. The ‘Sconset Trust secured the lighthouse to preserve it, and moved it to safer ground.

Address: You can find the Sankaty Head Light lighthouse on Baxter Rd., Siaconset, Nantucket, MA 02554. The lighthouse is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, and the road rolls up right behind the lighthouse. The road is the coastal road to the entire island.

Phone number: 508-257-4100, which connects you to the ‘Sconset Trust Association. You can ask them different questions about the lighthouse, ticket costs, and future events of interest.

Hours of operation: The lighthouse and museum are open most days from ten or eleven in the morning until three or four in the afternoon. Hours are subject to various situations and needs of the lighthouse. Call ahead to make sure it is open. Group tours are currently closed until further notice.

Accommodations:

There are no hotels directly connected to the lighthouse or the lighthouse’s property. There are, however, seven inns and bed and breakfast establishments on the island where you can stay. In-season prices (i.e., summertime) are a little steep, but staying on the island affords you direct access to everything on the island you may want to see or do, including the Sankaty lighthouse.

Here are your nearby accommodation options:
White Elephant Hotel, Lofts and Garden Cottages: A very large establishment located about seven miles away from the lighthouse.
Nantucket Inn: A very classy New England-style inn with comfortable rooms and located within five miles of the lighthouse.
Jared Coffin House: A historical place in and of itself, this establishment is also within seven miles of the lighthouse.
The Beachside: A fully renovated 1960 era hotel that provides free breakfast daily to guests and is also within seven miles of the lighthouse, give or take a half mile.
The Veranda House Hotel Collection: Big spacious rooms with views and a seven-mile hike to the lighthouse are par for the course with this hotel.
21 Broad Hotel: Seven miles away
76 Main Hotel: Seven miles away

Any and all other accommodations are within thirty or more miles of the lighthouse. If you stay on the island to be close to the lighthouse, you will need to stay in one of the seven previously mentioned establishments. You can easily use a car to get around on the island and get to the Sankaty Head Lighthouse. If you stay off the island, you will need to take a ferry to the island and then find a way around the island once you depart from the ferry.

Hotels Nearby

In case you need help locating the above inns, bed and breakfasts, and hotels, the establishments and their exact addresses on the island are found below.

White Elephant
50 Easton St, Nantucket

Nantucket Inn
1 Miller Ln
Nantucket

Jared Coffin House
29 Broad St
Nantucket

The Beachside
30 N Beach St
Nantucket

The Veranda House Hotel Collection
3 Step Ln
Nantucket

21 Broad Hotel
21 Broad St
Nantucket

76 Main
76 Main St.
Nantucket

As the summer season ramps up, many more inns and hotels may open for the season, but the ones above are open almost all year long. This is convenient for any tourist who may be visiting the island in the off-season.

Restaurants Nearby:

There are four restaurants in Siasconset, where the lighthouse is located. Each of these is within walking distance of the lighthouse. If you want to get a bite to eat and then visit the lighthouse, or visit the lighthouse and then eat, you can manage it quite easily.

Here are the four restaurants within walking distance of the lighthouse in Siasconset:

The Chanticleer at 9 New St. features French and international cuisine. They are open for lunch and dinner.
Claudette’s Sandwich Shop at 10 Main St. features lunch fare with a few vegetarian options. They are open for breakfast and lunch.
‘Sconset Cafe is located at 8 Main St Post Office Square, and serves only dinner until 10pm.
The Summer House Restaurant at 17 Ocean Ave. opens for lunch and stays open the rest of the night for dinner, late night, and drinks. It is the nighttime hot spot in Siasconset.

If you want more options, you can drive to the northern coast of Nantucket to Broad Point. There are several restaurants there. If you stay in a hotel there, you will be farther away from the lighthouse, but closer to numerous restaurant options.

Tours available:

The lighthouse usually opens for business in May or June, depending on the weather. At present, it is not open for business, but that is expected to change. Group tours may not be available for a while.

Individual tours include walking and self-guided tours, as well as small group guided tours when business returns to normal. Right now, you can only walk around the lighthouse and the island if you happen to be there already. When the lighthouse is open, you can walk around the grounds, the keeper’s home, and go up inside the lighthouse to see the views from the top. Admission prices vary on the type of tour you want and when a specific type of tour is available.

There are also several special events and gatherings at and in the lighthouse throughout the year. Some of those events have either been canceled or postponed this year, but it is expected to be a regular feature in the annual calendar again next year. You can check the events calendar on the ‘Sconset Calendar on the Sankaty Head Light’s website.

Unique features of lighthouse to observe and experience:

The lighthouse is fully automated. It spins its bright light out over the ocean in all directions to help ships steer away from the shallow shoals of Nantucket. It is also a beacon for ships that are lost in nor’easter storms, a common weather problem in New England. You can see where the original light used to be part of the top light tower, and you can stand within the guard rail and walk around the light when weather permits.

People living on Nantucket relish the sunsets near the lighthouse. Artists often come here to paint scenes and views of the lighthouse; you might see an artist on any given summer day painting en plein aire. Touring the grounds, seeing the various tableaux of historical information, and touring the keeper’s house are all possible when the site is open for business.

When and if possible, attempt to see the lighthouse during a special event. The lighthouse during the nighttime gala that is typically held each year in summer is a really extraordinary event. Jog in the Fog is another event where a run past the lighthouse early in the morning when the fog is rolling in off the ocean is quite breathtaking, both literally and figuratively.

Many people have held their weddings near this site for its beautiful scenery. Scores of photographers have taken photos here too. If you have the time, travel 405 feet to the southeast to see the exact spot where the lighthouse originally stood before being moved to a safer location in order to preserve it and keep it from falling into the ocean.

Cape Poge Lighthouse

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As part of Martha’s Vineyard off the Cape Cod coast, the Cape Poge Lighthouse is located in the northeast corner of Chappaquiddick Island. It is part of the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge. In 1987, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse is owned and operated by the Trustees of Reservations, but the light is operated by the United States Coast Guard. In the movie “Jaws”, as Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss swim to shore, the Cape Poge lighthouse appears on the right side of the screen. Visiting the lighthouse requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle and a 3.5-mile hike from Dike Bridge, or you can arrange to be picked up when you schedule a tour.

History of the Cape Poge Lighthouse

The original 35-foot, octagonal, wooden tower and the two-room keeper’s house were built on four acres in 1801 for $2,000, including $36 for the land. The lighthouse helped whaling ships navigate the Muskeget Channel and Cape Poge on their way to Edgarton Harbor. The original light was equipped with a spider lamp, which is a lamp with multiple arms and a light at the end of each arm. In 1812, the lamp was replaced with oil lamps and reflectors. It was turned off for several months during the War of 1812 after the British burned Washington. The keeper, Matthew Maybew, took the parts of the lamp four miles away and hid them in the basement of the home of Samuel Huxford in Chappaquiddick. In 1815, the light was relit, and the keeper’s house received an additional room in 1816.

By 1825, erosion had worn away half of the original four acres. Four more acres were purchased, and the lighthouse was moved by the keeper’s brother for $250. It was moved again in 1838 when again, thanks to erosion, the lighthouse was only 40 feet from the edge. Then, it was rebuilt in 1844 for $1,600. A walkway connecting the new tower to the keeper’s house. The house as enlarged around 1868. A fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed in 1857. By 1870, more erosion put the keeper’s house in danger, so, another four acres of land were purchased. A duplex was built for the keeper and an assistant keeper in 1880.

The current lighthouse was built 40 feet inland in 1893. Rather than build a new lantern room, a 35-foot high, 40-foot long staging was constructed, and the lantern room was moved from the old tower to the new tower in one day. The new lighthouse had to be moved 50 feet in 1907, 95 feet in 1922, 150 feet in 1960, and 500 feet in 1987. The 1987 move made the Cape Poge Lighthouse the first lighthouse moved by helicopter.

The light was changed from a solid white light to a red and white flashing light in 1898, which meant that every five or six hours a clockwork mechanism had to be wound. The new light had six flash panels and was a Chance Brothers fourth-order Fresnel lens from England. The lighthouse was automated in 1943, so the keeper’s house was no longer needed. It was used by the Coast Guard during World War II. Then, the keeper’s house was sold in 1954 and torn down. The light was replaced by a solar-powered, 12-inch, 300-millimeter lens that flashes a white light every six seconds. In 1997, the lantern room was removed and transported by helicopter to Falmouth, and then, by truck to New Bedford for cleaning and refurbishing. The project took two months. In 2001, a bicentennial celebration was held at the lighthouse.

Even with the lighthouse, there have been incidents around Cape Poge. The Hudson, a schooner, sank between the time of Mayhew’s death in December 1834 and the arrival of his replacement. It is unclear if the light was lit. Other reported shipwrecks in the area include the schooner, Sarah Lewis, in March 1853; a schooner, the Silver Bell, in 1856 on East Beach; the brig, Empire, in 1856; the schooner, Christiana, on Hawes Shoal on January 7, 1866; and a six-masted schooner, the Mertie B. Crowley off Wasque in 1910.

Location and Hours of Operation

Address: 59 Lighthouse Roadside, Edgarton, Massachusetts

Phone: (508) 627-3599

Hours of operation: The Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge is open daily from 5 am to 10 pm.

Nearby Accommodations

There are no accommodations directly connected to the Cape Poge Lighthouse or the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge. However, the Trustees of Reservations, who manages the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, have a cottage available to rent at the nearby Longpoint Wildlife Refuge, and camping is available at Dunes Edge Campground in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Hotels Near the Cape Poge Lighthouse

Ashley Inn
Address: 129 Main Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 627-9655
Rooms 10
Amenities Cable TV, WiFi
Awards: Editor’s Choice Award — Cape Code Travel Guide.
The house was built in 1860 by a Captain who retired from the whaling industry and remained in the family through the Captain’s granddaughter. In 1983, it was opened as an inn.

Vineyard Square Hotel and Suites
Address: 38 North Water Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 627-4711
Rooms 34 rooms from one-bedroom to suites, including dog-friendly suites
Amenities Vineyard Square provides board games and cribs as well as an in-season continental breakfast, afternoon treats, in-room taffy, room service, complimentary bikes, and beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas to take to the beach. In addition, they have a 24-hour fitness center; a full-service spa, the Sea Spa Salon; an art gallery, Eisenhauer Gallery; and a boutique, Mikel Boutique. Their on-site restaurant, Chesca, offers seafood, beef, chicken, Japanese, and Italian cuisine. They offer yoga and fitness retreats, meeting facilities, and wedding packages.
Awards: TripAdvisor — Certificate of Excellence
The Vineyard Square Hotel was originally called The Colonial Inn. In 1835, a Methodist camp meeting inspired the idea of Martha’s Vineyard as a summer retreat.
In 1911, Thomas Henry Chirgwin built The Colonial Inn. It had 16 rooms, electric lights, hot and cold baths, steam heat, and three dining rooms seating 400 and serving three meals a day. The three dining rooms were for either the owner, his family, maids, and chauffeurs; guests’ children and nannies; or adult guests. A year later, 16 rooms were added. In 1921, another building was incorporated into The Colonial Inn. In 1927 a local newspaper mentioned that the hotel included 60 rooms spread among the main building and three other buildings.

The hotel was acquired by new owners in 1964 and a new management team in 1966, who brought back breakfast and lunch service and added a gourmet cuisine to the hotel. The new management team also named rooms after books by Somerset Maughan, who had been a frequent guest at the hotel in the 1940s. The hotel was sold again in 1967 and received a license to sell alcohol at that time. After another sale in 1973, the dining room was replaced by a 500-person nightclub with live music. In 1984, the nightclub was replaced by a 50-person restaurant and retail space. Another sale in 1986 saw renovations, including private bathrooms in every room. A sale of the hotel in 1999 resulted in some of the retail space being converted to a spa, fitness room, and meeting rooms. Renovations in 2006 reduced the 43 rooms to 34, including six one- and two-bedroom luxury suites. In 2009, the hotel changed ownership again and was redecorated in beach modern style in 2011. That is when it became Vineyard Square Hotel and Suites.

Harbor View Hotel
Address: 131 North Water Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 627-7000
Rooms 114, including some cottages
Amenities The location of the Harbor View Hotel allows for beach access. Other amenities include WiFi, a 36-inch flat-screen TV, cable, a desk, kitchens in some rooms, cribs, dog-friendly rooms, bathrobes, a hairdryer, toiletries, an iron and ironing board, room service, a concierge, a front desk safe, multi-lingual staff, newspapers in the lobby, a full-service laundry, a dry cleaning service, bicycles, beach towels, a pool, and poolside bar. The hotel also includes a fitness center, wedding packages, meeting facilities, a fireplace in the lobby, and Bettini, a restaurant and bar that offers seafood, beef and Italian cuisine
Awards: Member Historic Hotels of America
Built in 1891, the Harbor View Hotel grand opening was by invitation only and was attended by 400 hotel guests and Edgarton residents. The hotel was part of a plan by city leaders to attract tourists after the whaling industry declined. It has successfully continued to attract guests.

Restaurants Near the Cape Poge Lighthouse

Alchemy
Address: 71 Main Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 627-9999
Restaurant type: Alchemy is a fine-dining restaurant, a bistro, and a bar featuring American cuisine with a European flair.
Menu Items on the menu feature seafood, beef, pork, and chicken.
Awards: 2019 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
Best Cocktails on the Island — Martha’s Vineyard Magazine

Détente
Address: 15 Winter Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 627-8810
Restaurant type Détente is a fine-dining restaurant and a bistro.
Menu Items on the menu feature locally sourced and seasonal contemporary American cuisine with a European flair and include seafood, beef, and pork.
Awards: Travel Advisor Certificate of Excellence 201- to 2019
Top Zagat rated restaurant

L’etoile
Address: 22 North Water Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 627-5187
Restaurant type L’etoile offers fine dining with a bar.
Menu Items on the menu feature locally sourced and seasonal contemporary French and American cuisine including seafood, beef, and pheasant.
Awards: Travel Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2016 to 2019
Find a Table Diner’s Choice Award 2019

Wharf Pub
Address: 3 Main Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 627-9966
Restaurant type Wharf Pub is a family-friendly American-style pub and restaurant with live music.
Menu The menu features seafood.
Awards: Travel Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2016 to 2019

Tours

Daily tours of the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and the lighthouse are offered starting near the end of May. You actually are allowed to climb up to the lantern room. Tours are offered from 10 am to 11:30 am, 12 noon to 1:30 pm, and 2 pm to 3:30 pm.

Unique features of Cape Pogue:

The light is 65 feet above mean high water and can be seen from a distance of nine miles. The 35-foot high, conical-shaped tower is white with a black lantern. It is covered with shingles. With all the updates it has received, the lighthouse does not have a foghorn.

Places to Eat Nearby

The Seafood Shanty
31 Dock St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://www.theseafoodshanty.com/
6.7 miles

Quarterdeck Restaurant
29 Dock St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
None
6.7 miles

Among the Flowers Café
17 Mayhew Ln, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://amongtheflowersmv.com/
6.8 miles

The Wharf
3 Main St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://www.wharfpubmv.com/
6.8 miles

Rockfish
11 N Water St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://www.rockfishedgartown.com/
6.8

Nearby Accommodations

Kelley House Hotel
23 Kelly St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://www.kelley-house.com/
6.7miles

The Lightkeepers Inn
25 Simpsons Ln, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://www.thelightkeepersinn.com/
7 miles

Harbor View Hotel
131 N Water St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
https://www.harborviewhotel.com/
7 miles

Edgartown Commons
20 Peases Point Way, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://www.edgartowncommons.com/
7.2 miles

Hob Knob
128 Main St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://www.hobknob.com/
7.3 miles

Things to Do Nearby:

Mytoi Japanese Garden
41 Dike Rd, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/cape-cod-islands/mytoi.html
3.7 miles

Eisenhauer Gallery
38 N Water St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://www.eisenhauergallery.com/
6.8 miles

Old Whaling Church, Edgartown Liturgical Arts Center
89 Main St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
http://mvpreservation.org/properties/old-whaling-church/%20or%20umc-mv.org
7.3 miles

Vincent House Museum
99 Main St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
no link

7.3 miles

Lighthouse Beach
230 N Water St, Edgartown, MA 02539, United States
none
7 miles