Mayo Beach Light

Mayo Beach Light

the second Mayo Beach Light (USCG)
Location	Mayo Beach on Cape Cod
Coordinates	41°55′51″N 70°02′03″W / 41.9307°N 70.0343°W / 41.9307; -70.0343Coordinates: 41°55′51″N 70°02′03″W / 41.9307°N 70.0343°W / 41.9307; -70.0343[1]
Year first constructed	1837 (first light) 1881 (second light)
Deactivated	1922
Construction	Cast iron
Tower shape	Cylindrical
Height	25 ft. (second light)

The Mayo Beach Light was an early lighthouse on Cape Cod. Deactivated in 1922, the second tower was moved to California and re-erected as the Point Montara Light in 1928.

History

This light was erected to help guide boats into the Wellfleet, Massachusetts harbor. The first light consisted of a brick house with a lantern set in the center of the roof. The usual multiple lamp and reflector system of the day was used, though four of the ten lamps were found to shine over land only and were shortly discontinued.^[2] Ironically, three wrecks occurred in the light's vicinity within the first fifteen years of its operation.^[3]

In 1857 the light was upgraded with a Fresnel lens.^[3] The condition of the house was reviled by early keepers, and Stephen Pleasanton, the first federal supervisor of lighthouses, had requested the light's disestablishment.^[2] Nevertheless it remained in service until 1881.

In that year a totally new light was erected on the same location.^[3] This consisted of a short cast iron cylindrical tower which stood immediately adjacent to a newly erected keeper's house, the old building having been demolished as an obstruction. This light remained in service until 1922, when the station was discontinued. The keeper's house was sold to a private concern, and the tower was removed; its circular foundation remains visible next to the house.^[2]

For many years it was believed that the tower was demolished around 1939.^[3] However, research in 2008 showed that the tower had not been scrapped, but had instead been transported across the country and re-erected at the Point Montara Light, replacing a wooden framework tower erected in 1912. Evidence for the move was found in the form of letters detailing the transfer, which were uncovered by Colleen MacNeney.^[4]

Mayo Beach Light is also notable as having an early female keeper. Sarah Atwood succeeded her husband in 1876 and served until 1891.^[2]

References

1. ^ "Mayo's Beach Light". lighthousefriends.com. http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=610. Retrieved 2008-06-04. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} D'Entremont, Jeremy. "Mayo's Beach Light: History". http://lighthouse.cc/mayosbeach/history.html. Retrieved 2008-06-04. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Massachusetts". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses/LHMA.asp. Retrieved 2008-06-04. 
4. ^ Cassidy, Patrick (June 4, 2008). "Cape lighthouse mystery solved". Cape Cod Times. http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080604/NEWS/806040334. Retrieved 2008-06-04.