Brant Point Lighthouse, located at the entrance to Nantucket Harbor, is one of America’s most historic and most-photographed beacons. Established in 1746, it is the second-oldest lighthouse station in the United States, second only to Boston Light (1716). At just 26 feet tall, it is also the shortest active lighthouse in New England, and with nine rebuildings over nearly three centuries, it holds the distinction of being the most-rebuilt lighthouse in the country.
The current 1901 wooden tower displays an occulting red light visible up to ten nautical miles, greeting every ferry that rounds the point into the harbor. For generations, “coming ’round Brant Point” has marked arrival on the island.
History of Brant Point Lighthouse
By the 1740s, Nantucket was emerging as the world’s whaling capital, with sea captains demanding a lighthouse to mark the narrow entrance to Nantucket Harbor. At a town meeting on January 24, 1746, the merchants and mariners of Sherburne (as the town was then called) voted to allocate 200 English pounds for the construction of a lighthouse, “in supposition that the owners of, or others concerned in, shipping will maintain a light therein.” Three islanders — Ebenezer Calef, Obed Hussey, and Jabez Bunker — were designated to oversee the new beacon, making Brant Point the second lighthouse built in the Thirteen Colonies, after Boston Light.
What followed was an extraordinary cycle of destruction and rebuilding that has no equal in U.S. lighthouse history. The original wooden tower burned down in 1758, and a second wooden tower was erected the following year. On March 9, 1774, that second tower was destroyed by a brief but violent windstorm (likely a tornado) that one Boston newspaper called “the most violent gust of wind that perhaps was ever known there.” A third tower was promptly built, only to burn in 1783. The fourth iteration was little more than a lantern hoisted between two spars; mariners likened its dim glow to a lightning bug, earning it the nickname “bug light.” The fifth structure (1786) and sixth (1788, built by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and ceded to the federal government in 1795) followed quickly, all suffering from the elements and from cheap construction.
A more substantial seventh structure rose in 1825 at a cost of $1,600, with the lantern set atop a keeper’s house. Inspections in the 1830s found this station in poor repair, and in 1856, the federal government built the eighth tower — a brick conical tower fitted with a fourth-order Fresnel lens, first lit on December 10, 1856. This 1856 brick tower still stands today on the Coast Guard base, with its lantern long since removed, serving as an office building. As Nantucket Harbor’s shipping channels shifted with the eroding sandbars, the 1856 light was found to be too far from the active channel, and in 1900, a fixed red light (the ninth iteration) was installed 600 feet east at the extremity of the point. The current wooden tower — the tenth light and the seventh proper tower at the site — was completed in 1901 and first lit on January 31, 1901, fitted with a fifth-order Fresnel lens.
The lighthouse originally displayed a white light, but as cottages and mansions multiplied along the shore, the light began to blend in with shoreside lamps and was eventually changed to red. Brant Point was paired for many years as a range light with the Nantucket Beacon at the head of the harbor, and later with the Cliff Range Beacons (popularly known as the “Bug Lights”) from 1838 until 1912, when the modern Nantucket Harbor Range Lights replaced them. The light was automated in 1965, and on October 28, 1987, Brant Point Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP reference #87001893).
In the fall of 2000, the U.S. Coast Guard and Campbell Construction Group completed a six-week restoration that included replacing the lantern glass, reshingling the tower, repainting the structure, and refurbishing interior stucco work. Today, the lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation maintained by the Coast Guard, sitting on the grounds of active U.S. Coast Guard Station Brant Point.
Brant Point Lighthouse Architecture and Design
The current Brant Point Lighthouse is a 26-foot wooden tower with shingled siding, painted white with a black lantern. A wooden walkway connects it to the shore, allowing the keepers and Coast Guard personnel access at high tide. The tower stands at the eastern extremity of the point, 596 feet east of the previous 1856 brick tower, which still stands on the Coast Guard base grounds with its lantern removed.
Originally fitted with a fifth-order Fresnel lens manufactured in France, the lighthouse now operates a 250mm modern acrylic optic that produces an occulting red light — steady red for four seconds, followed by a brief eclipse, then repeating — visible up to ten nautical miles. An automated foghorn supplements the light during periods of low visibility. At just 26 feet above sea level, Brant Point is one of the lowest-set lighthouses in New England, a perfectly suited height for marking the harbor channel without the need for greater elevation.
Location and Surroundings
Situated on Brant Point at the entrance to Nantucket Harbor, the lighthouse offers stunning views of the harbor, the surrounding coastline, and the parade of ferries, sailboats, and lobster boats moving in and out throughout the day. The area is characterized by sandy beaches and grassy dunes, providing a serene environment for visitors. Its proximity to downtown Nantucket makes it easily accessible by foot, bike, or car. Beyond Nantucket Town, the island’s other lighthouses include Sankaty Head Light in Siasconset and Great Point Light at the northern tip, both reachable for visitors looking to complete a Nantucket lighthouse tour.
Famous Tales and Recognition
Few lighthouses in America have accumulated as many distinctions and traditions as Brant Point:
- Most-Rebuilt Lighthouse in America: With nine rebuildings since 1746, Brant Point holds the distinction of being the most-rebuilt lighthouse in the United States — a testament to fires, storms, and the constantly shifting sands of Nantucket Harbor.
- Two Towers, One Site: The 1856 brick tower — the eighth lighthouse at the site — still stands on the Coast Guard base grounds, with its lantern removed but its structure intact. Visitors looking carefully can spot it just behind the active 1901 tower.
- The Penny Toss: A long-standing local tradition holds that visitors who toss a penny into the water as their ferry rounds Brant Point will be granted a return visit to the island. Generations of arriving and departing passengers have continued the ritual.
- National Register of Historic Places (1987): Listed on October 28, 1987 (NRHP reference #87001893), recognizing the lighthouse’s extraordinary historical significance.
- Annual American Flag and Christmas Bow: Each spring, the lighthouse is wrapped in a giant American flag for Memorial Day and the Daffodil Festival; each December, it’s adorned with a giant red bow for Christmas — both beloved island traditions.
- From White to Red: The lighthouse originally displayed a white light, but as Nantucket Town’s shoreside development grew, the light began to blend in with house lamps and was eventually changed to its current red character to remain distinguishable.
Visiting Brant Point Lighthouse
Visiting Brant Point Lighthouse is a must for anyone traveling to Nantucket. Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit:
Getting There
The lighthouse is located near Nantucket Harbor, just a short walk or bike ride from downtown Nantucket. From Steamboat Wharf, walk up Broad Street, turn right onto South Beach Street, then follow Easton Street to its end. The lighthouse sits on the active U.S. Coast Guard Station Brant Point property; while the immediate grounds around the lighthouse itself are restricted, Brant Point Beach offers excellent public viewing access.
Visiting Hours
The beach and surrounding public areas are open year-round from dawn until dusk. The lighthouse interior is not open for tours, as it remains an active aid to navigation on Coast Guard property.
Admission
There is no admission fee to view the lighthouse from public areas. Visitors can freely walk the beach, take photographs, and enjoy the harbor views.
Guided Tours
While the lighthouse interior is not open for tours, several local organizations offer guided walking tours of Nantucket that include historical context about Brant Point and the island’s maritime past.
Visitor Guidelines
- Respect Coast Guard property: The lighthouse sits on an active U.S. Coast Guard station; observe all signage and restricted-access barriers.
- Stay on designated paths: The dunes around the point are sensitive habitat; please remain on marked walkways.
- Be mindful of tides: Brant Point Beach can flood at high tide, particularly during storms; check conditions before visiting.
- Follow local regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Plan Your Visit
A trip to Brant Point Lighthouse offers a unique glimpse into Nantucket’s maritime history. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a photography buff, or simply seeking a peaceful spot to enjoy coastal views, the lighthouse provides a memorable experience. Don’t forget to bring a penny to toss into the sea as you round the point on the ferry — a local tradition said to ensure your return to the island.
Visiting Brant Point Lighthouse is more than just a sightseeing opportunity; it’s a chance to connect with the enduring legacy of one of America’s oldest, shortest, and most-rebuilt beacons.