Massachusetts Is Home to the Nation’s Oldest Lighthouse

If you are a lighthouse enthusiast who isn't in New England, Massachusetts is home to the nation's first, oldest continually used, and last-staffed lighthouse.

The historic Boston Light, built in 1716, became a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Boston Light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Little Brewster Island, including Boston Light, is a National Recreation Area under the auspices of the National Park Service. Little Brewster Island is situated in Boston Harbor.

The 60-foot-tall Boston Light used candles at first. In 1873, fish oil lamps replaced the candles when Massachusetts rebuilt the lighthouse after British troops destroyed it following the occupation and retreat from Boston during the American Revolutionary War.

The National Park Service says Boston Light suffered extensive damage over the years due to fire, storms and vandalism.

The NPS says Boston Light was "electrified" in 1948.

"Power was originally supplied by generator and batteries, replaced in 1957 by an underwater cable from Windmill Point in Hull with generator backup," the NPS wrote.

The National Park Service says, "In November 1989, just as the Coast Guard was preparing to automate the light and remove personnel from Little Brewster, the U.S. Senate passed a law sponsored by Sen. (Edward M.) Kennedy required that Boston Light be permanently manned."

NPS says in 2003, Sally Snowman "was appointed the first civilian keeper since 1941." The Park Service reports Snowman "is also the first woman keeper in Boston Light's long and illustrious history."