Sankaty Head Lighthouse stands perched at the easternmost point of Nantucket Island, in the village of Siasconset. Erected in 1850, this iconic white tower with a single broad red central band has guided countless sailors through the treacherous waters of Nantucket Shoals for over 170 years. Its enduring presence not only underscores its navigational significance but also reflects the island’s rich heritage and commitment to preservation.
Nicknamed “the Blazing Star of Nantucket” by the U.S. Lighthouse Board for the brilliance of its original Fresnel lens, Sankaty Head was the first lighthouse in Massachusetts built with a Fresnel lens as original equipment, and one of the earliest in the United States. In 2007, the entire 405-ton structure was relocated 405 feet inland to escape a rapidly eroding bluff — one of the most documented lighthouse moves in American history.
History of Sankaty Head Lighthouse
Calls for a lighthouse on Sankaty Head began as early as 1838, when mariners published pleas in The Boston Post for a beacon to mark the dangerous shoals off Nantucket’s eastern coast. The U.S. government responded slowly: it was not until 1847, when Lieutenant Charles Davis conducted sounding operations and discovered the previously unknown Davis South Shoals, that political pressure finally led to action. On August 14, 1848, Congress appropriated $12,000 for the construction of the lighthouse, and in May 1849, ten acres on Sankaty Head were purchased from George Myrick for $250.
Civil engineer Benjamin Franklin Isherwood was hired to oversee the construction. By the summer of 1849, schooners had delivered brick, granite, and other supplies to Nantucket Harbor, which were then carted across the island to the bluff at Siasconset. Contractor Cabot King of Hingham, Massachusetts built a 53-foot conical brick tower with a five-foot-deep foundation, capped by six feet of granite, and topped with a nine-foot-tall cast-iron lantern, all for $10,333. A one-and-a-half-story brick keeper’s dwelling was built adjacent to the tower. The Fresnel lens itself, manufactured by Henry-Lepaute of Paris, cost an additional $10,000 and required supplemental Congressional appropriations of $6,000 in 1848 and $2,000 in 1850. Isherwood traveled to France personally to purchase the lens and oversee its installation.
On the night of February 1, 1850, first keeper Alexander D. Bunker lit Sankaty Head Light for the first time. Powered by a single-wick whale-oil lamp shining through the second-order Fresnel lens, the beacon was visible up to 24 nautical miles at sea. In 1852, the newly formed U.S. Lighthouse Board issued a comprehensive report praising the lens as “greatly superior to all others (except, perhaps, those on the Highlands of Navesink, New Jersey) on the entire coast of the United States.” The lens earned Sankaty its enduring nickname, “the Blazing Star of Nantucket.” In 1919, Charles Vanderhoop, an Aquinnah Wampanoag, was appointed head keeper of Sankaty Head Light, becoming what is believed to be the first Native American to serve as head keeper of a U.S. lighthouse.
The light was electrified on May 15, 1933, replacing the weight-driven brass clockwork rotation mechanism with an electric motor and the vapor lamp with electric illumination. The U.S. Coast Guard took over management of the lighthouse in 1944, ending nearly a century of family keeping. In August 1950, the original Fresnel lens was removed and replaced by a modern rotating aerobeacon rated at 900,000 candlepower (tripled to 3.2 million candlepower in 1970). The original Henry-Lepaute Fresnel lens was placed on display at the Nantucket Whaling Museum, where it remains today. In 1969, the deteriorating original cast-iron lantern was removed by the Coast Guard, and the current aluminum lantern was installed after public outcry over the change in the tower’s appearance. The light was fully automated in 1965, and on July 16, 1987, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
By the late 20th century, coastal erosion had become Sankaty’s greatest threat. Between 1894 and 1999, storms and erosion claimed 195 feet of bluff, and since 1999 the cliff had been losing about three feet per year. The ’Sconset Trust was formed in 1984 to preserve the lighthouse, and the volunteer group Save Our Sankaty was established in 1992. In 1993, Preservation Massachusetts placed Sankaty Light on its Ten Most Endangered Resources list. By 2006, the lighthouse stood just 72 feet from the bluff’s edge.
In October 2007, ownership was transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to the ’Sconset Trust, and the Trust contracted International Chimney, Inc., of Buffalo, New York — the same firm that moved Cape Hatteras, Highland Light, and Nauset Light — to relocate the structure. A new foundation was prepared on Sankaty Head Golf Club land 405 feet to the northwest, and the 405-ton lighthouse was moved during a 10-day operation completed on October 10, 2007. The lighthouse now stands 267 feet from its new bluff edge, and the ’Sconset Trust continues to maintain the 7-acre site. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the active aid to navigation.
Sankaty Head Lighthouse Architecture and Design
Sankaty Head Lighthouse stands 70 feet tall, with a focal plane 158 feet above sea level. The lower 53-foot section is constructed of brick, capped by six feet of granite and topped by a 9-foot aluminum lantern (a 1969 replacement of the original cast-iron lantern). The tower’s distinctive paint scheme — white with a single broad red central band — has remained essentially unchanged since the lighthouse was first built, and the design is one of only a few in the United States with this particular configuration.
Originally illuminated by a second-order Fresnel lens manufactured by Henry-Lepaute of Paris and powered by a single-wick whale-oil lamp, the lighthouse now operates a modern rotating aerobeacon that produces a white flash every 7.5 seconds, visible up to 24 nautical miles. The original 1850 Fresnel lens has been preserved and is on display at the Nantucket Whaling Museum in downtown Nantucket, where visitors can examine it up close.
Location and Surroundings
Situated at the end of Baxter Road in the village of Siasconset, Sankaty Head Lighthouse offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the island’s moors. The lighthouse now sits on land belonging to the Sankaty Head Golf Club, one of the oldest golf courses in the United States, just next to the 5th hole. Visitors can also explore the quaint village of Siasconset, known for its rose-covered cottages and serene atmosphere. Sankaty Head pairs naturally with visits to Nantucket’s two other historic beacons: Brant Point Light at the harbor entrance and Great Point Light at the island’s remote northern tip.
Famous Tales and Recognition
Sankaty Head Lighthouse has accumulated several distinctive credentials in its 175 years of operation:
- The Blazing Star of Nantucket: The U.S. Lighthouse Board’s 1852 report praised Sankaty’s second-order Fresnel lens as one of the most powerful lights on the entire U.S. coast, earning it the nickname “the Blazing Star of Nantucket.”
- First Native American Head Keeper of a U.S. Lighthouse: Charles Vanderhoop, an Aquinnah Wampanoag, was appointed head keeper of Sankaty Head Light in 1919, believed to be the first Native American to hold that role at any U.S. lighthouse.
- Original Fresnel Lens at the Nantucket Whaling Museum: The lighthouse’s original 1850 Henry-Lepaute Fresnel lens is on permanent display at the Nantucket Whaling Museum, allowing visitors to see one of the most historically significant lighthouse lenses in America up close.
- The 405-Foot Relocation (2007): On October 10, 2007, after a 10-day operation, the 405-ton lighthouse was successfully moved 405 feet inland by International Chimney, Inc., the same firm that relocated Cape Hatteras Light, Highland Light, and Nauset Light. The move saved Sankaty from imminent loss to bluff erosion.
- National Register of Historic Places (1987): Listed on July 16, 1987, recognizing the lighthouse’s architectural and historical significance.
- Lighthouse on a Golf Course: Sankaty Head is one of only a handful of active U.S. lighthouses sitting on a golf course property — in this case, beside the 5th hole of the Sankaty Head Golf Club.
Visiting Sankaty Head Lighthouse
A visit to Sankaty Head Lighthouse provides a unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and recreational opportunities.
Getting There
From the Nantucket ferry terminal, the lighthouse is roughly 7 miles east in Siasconset. Take Milestone Road or the parallel Polpis bike path to Siasconset, then follow Sankaty Road, Bayberry Lane, and Baxter Road to the lighthouse grounds. The route by car or bicycle offers scenic views of the island’s diverse landscapes, making the journey nearly as enjoyable as the destination.
By Tour
Visitors who prefer a guided experience can book the Nantucket Historical Landmarks Sightseeing Bus Tour, which makes a photo stop at Sankaty Lighthouse alongside the rose-covered cottages of Siasconset and the Old Mill, the oldest operational windmill in the United States. The tour offers an efficient way to see Sankaty in context with the island’s other historic landmarks.
Visiting Hours
The lighthouse grounds are open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. While the tower itself is typically closed, it is opened for climbing during special events and open days organized by the ’Sconset Trust.
Admission
Access to the lighthouse grounds is free of charge. Donations to the ’Sconset Trust are welcomed and support ongoing preservation efforts.
Guided Tours
Guided tours of the tower are available during special open house events, offering visitors insights into the lighthouse’s history, architecture, and the engineering challenges of the 2007 relocation.
Visitor Guidelines
- Stay within designated areas to protect the fragile coastal environment and respect the adjacent golf course.
- Keep noise levels low to respect the tranquility of the area and neighboring properties.
- Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash; please clean up after your pets.
- Carry out all trash to maintain the site’s cleanliness and natural beauty.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, nature lover, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, Sankaty Head Lighthouse offers a memorable experience. Pair your visit with a stop at the Nantucket Whaling Museum to see the lighthouse’s original 1850 Fresnel lens up close — a rare opportunity to encounter the actual artifact that earned Sankaty its “Blazing Star” nickname.