Wood End Lighthouse

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Wood End sketch

The third lighthouse in Provincetown was built in 1872, between Race Point and Long Point - at the elbow of the sandbar which surrounds Provincetown harbor. The light was designed as an exact replica of Long Point Light. It was originally painted brown, and housed a fifth-order Fresnel lens. In 1896, a second keeper's house, storage shed, and oil house were added. A fog bell in a tower was added in 1902.

By 1872, most of the community at the tip of the Cape was gone. However, as reported to the Lighthouse Board in 1880 (Clark, p.126) "The keeper of this station is much annoyed by the stench and flies coming from the fish-oil works located between this and Long Point Station."

In 1911, a breakwater was built across the upper end of the harbor - this allowed much more direct access to Wood End Station at low tide. The breakwall still stands today, and is the most direct route to the lighthouse.

The worst wreck off Wood End took place on December 17, 1927. The Navy submarine S-4 and Coast Guard Cutter Paulding collided half a mile south of the light. The submarine was lost with all hands.

In 1961, the lighthouse was automated. All auxiliary buildings except the oil house were torn down. An aerobeacon replaced the Fresnel lens. In 1981, solar panels and batteries were installed to power the lighthouse. The lighthouse is licensed by the Coast Guard to the American Lighthouse Foundation, who maintains the tower and oil house.

References (see links)

Lighthouses of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket - Their History and Lore, Clark pp. 124-129
The Lighthouses of New England, Snow pp. 248-250, 253
Massachusetts Lighthouses - A Pictorial Guide, Thompson p. 76
Lighthouses and Life Saving Stations Along the Massachusetts Coast, Claflin p. 54
Lighthouses of Massachusetts, Roberts and Jones p. 52

Select an image to enlarge

From the Breakwall

Pilgrim's Monument at Right

Directions: The lighthouse is not open to the public, but the surrounding grounds are open year-round. To walk to the tower, Follow State Route 6 to Provincetown. The light can be seen from a distance from the Pilgrim's Monument or Macmillan's Wharf. To walk to the light - either go into Provincetown and drive to the end of Commercial Street, or drive to the end of 6 and backtrack briefly on Route 6A. Either route will take you to the Pilgrim's Landing area. From here, cross the breakwall and turn right. The walk is difficult. The breakwall is uneven and half a mile long. The walk from the end of the breakwall to the light is about half a mile over sand. Plan your walk during low tide. At higher tides, the breakwall and some of the ground you will need to cross may be underwater. (The entire round trip journey to both Wood End and Long Point on foot is approximately four hours.)

For more information on the American Lighthouse Foundation, visit their website (see links). (January 2007)