It was moved by helicopter in 1985 and again in 1997. It is the most remote of the 5 Island beacons, located at the Trustees of Reservations’ Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge on Chappaquiddick Island and not easily reached by car or on foot. The Trustees offer seasonal tours of Chappaquiddick, including the lighthouse. From the Church Street stop of the #13 and #1 bus, walk approximately 1/4th mile to Memorial Wharf and board the On Time ferry to Chappaquiddick to meet the tour on the other side. For reservations call 508-627-3599.
Vineyard Lighthouses
In 1939 the cast iron Essex Light in Ipswich, MA was dismantled and brought to Edgartown by barge. The structure is located off North Water Street and offers views of Edgartown Harbor and Chappaquiddick Island across the channel. It is approximately 1/2 mile from the Church Street stop of the #13 and #1 bus. Maintained and recently restored by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, the organization offers seasonal tours. Call 508-627-4441 for hours.
Built in 1856, today’s red brick lighthouse is located on the Gay Head Cliffs in Aquinnah off Lighthouse Road. Take the #3 bus from Vineyard Haven or the #6 bus from Edgartown and change to the #5 in West Tisbury. The one-way trip takes approximately an hour by bus or 1/2 hour by car from down-Island towns so allow at least 3 hours to go out, experience the cliffs, and return. The 1854 Fresnel lens, designed in France and used in the lighthouse for almost 100 years, is now preserved on the grounds of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum at 59 School Street in Edgartown. The museum conducts sunset tours of the lighthouse in season. Call 508-627-4441 for hours.
The West Chop Lighthouse sits just outside Vineyard Haven on West Chop Road (the extension of Main Street) approximately 2 miles north of downtown, and offers views of both Vineyard Sound and Nantucket Sound. It is on the #10A bus route. Owned by the US Coast Guard, it is not open to the public.
The present cast iron lighthouse was erected in 1875 and is located on the east side of Vineyard Haven Harbor in Oak Bluffs. From the grounds, enjoy a sweeping view of Nantucket Sound and Vineyard Haven Harbor. The lighthouse is on East Chop Drive off the #13 bus line. Coming from the east it is 1 mile from the Oak Bluffs Harbor or from the west it is 3/4 mile from the beginning of New York Avenue. The lighthouse is maintained by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, which conducts sunset tours in season. Call 508-627-4441 for hours.