Gloucester in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Ten Pound Island Lighthouse
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
1. Ten Pound Island Lighthouse Marker
Before you stretches Ten Pound Island. In 1821 a lighthouse was built on the island to safely direct sailing ships into Gloucester Harbor. Some of America's greatest works of art were painted by Winslow Homer while staying at the keeper's house in 1880. The lighthouse station was rebuilt in 1881 and continued to serve the maritime community until 1965 when the keeper's house was razed and the tower abandoned. Under the leadership of the Lighthouse Preservation Society, concerned citizens restored and relit the tower on August 5, 1989, in commemoration of America's Lighthouse Bicentennial.Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.
Location. 42° 36.607′ N, 70° 40.197′ W. Marker is in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in Essex County. Marker is at the intersection of Western Avenue (Massachusetts Route 127) and Middle Street, on the right when traveling north on Western Avenue. Located in Stacy Boulevard Waterfront Park.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gloucester Fishermen's Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Coast Guard Aviation Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Gloucester Korean – Vietnam Veterans Monument (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stacy Esplanade (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blynman Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Tappan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Salting Fish (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gloucester.
Regarding Ten Pound Island Lighthouse. In the early days, the settlers let sheep graze on the island. There was room for ten paddocks or "pounds" on the island.
Ten Pound Island Lighthouse, 1881. Once a center of Coast Guard activity and known as "Base 7," there were seaplanes based on the island that were used for search and rescue operations. Most of the missions flown by the Coast Guard were actually in search of the notorious and elusive "rum-runners" during the days of Prohibition. One such boat, known as the "Black Duck" was known for its rum-running. Often the Coast Guard planes would follow the "Black Duck" continuously, circling
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
2. Ten Pound Island Lighthouse Marker
Also see . . . Ten Pound Island Light. (Submitted on October 3, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
3. Ten Pound Island Lighthouse Marker
Ten Pound Island is beyond the marker. The lighthouse which serves vessels in the harbor, not the ocean, is only 30 feet tall. It can be seen in the photo above the marker.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, September 17, 2005
4. Ten Pound Island Lighthouse
Closest picture I could get of the light.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 955 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 4. submitted on January 23, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
