Before the opening of the Cape Cod Canal in 1914, the only way ships could leave Boston was on a route around Race Point--the northern tip of Cape Cod.
Before
the
opening
of
the
Cape
Cod
Canal
in
1914
,
the
only
way
ships
could
leave
Boston
was
on
a
route
around
Race
Point
--
the
northern
tip
of
Cape
Cod
.
However, navigation during the 18th century was a nightmare, because the floating cross current around Race Point caused countless accidents.
However
,
navigation
during
the
18th
century
was
a
nightmare
,
because
the
floating
cross
current
around
Race
Point
caused
countless
accidents
.
So building a lighthouse to lighten the place was very necessary.
So
building
a
lighthouse
to
lighten
the
place
was
very
necessary
.
As early as 1808, the people of Provincetown requested a lighthouse on Race Point, but it took Congress eight years to react when they finally paid $8,000 on April 27,1816 to build a lighthouse--Race Point Light, which was located in the town of Provincetown, Massachusetts.
As
early
as
1808
,
the
people
of
Provincetown
requested
a
lighthouse
on
Race
Point
,
but
it
took
Congress
eight
years
to
react
when
they
finally
paid
$
8,000
on
April
27,1816
to
build
a
lighthouse
--
Race
Point
Light
,
which
was
located
in
the
town
of
Provincetown
,
Massachusetts
.
It was first built of stone 25 feet high with no foundation and its light was 30 feet above the sea.
It
was
first
built
of
stone
25
feet
high
with
no
foundation
and
its
light
was
30
feet
above
the
sea
.
It was equipped with one of the nation's earliest revolving lights.
It
was
equipped
with
one
of
the
nation
's
earliest
revolving
lights
.
Actually, there were two other lighthouses on Cape Cod, but they were hit by a storm in October 1841.
Actually
,
there
were
two
other
lighthouses
on
Cape
Cod
,
but
they
were
hit
by
a
storm
in
October
1841
.
In the following year, Race Point Light was examined by I.W.P.Lewis, who realized the light's importance.
In
the
following
year
,
Race
Point
Light
was
examined
by
I.W.P.Lewis
,
who
realized
the
light
's
importance
.
He said, "The light should be useful to all ships leaving Boston.
He
said
,
``
The
light
should
be
useful
to
all
ships
leaving
Boston
.
However, its illuminating power is so weak that people would hardly be able to differentiate it from the lights set on the ships which stay in the bay, or close by.
However
,
its
illuminating
power
is
so
weak
that
people
would
hardly
be
able
to
differentiate
it
from
the
lights
set
on
the
ships
which
stay
in
the
bay
,
or
close
by
.
It hasn't played its role as a lighthouse well."
It
has
n't
played
its
role
as
a
lighthouse
well
.
''
The result was that old lighthouse was destroyed and a new iron lighthouse with a proper foundation was put up to take its place.
The
result
was
that
old
lighthouse
was
destroyed
and
a
new
iron
lighthouse
with
a
proper
foundation
was
put
up
to
take
its
place
.
The new lighthouse was 45 feet high.
The
new
lighthouse
was
45
feet
high
.
Although the original keeper's house was in good repair, it was destroyed too and a new one was built.
Although
the
original
keeper
's
house
was
in
good
repair
,
it
was
destroyed
too
and
a
new
one
was
built
.
Today the lighthouse has been automated and Race Point Light is still an active aid to navigation.
Today
the
lighthouse
has
been
automated
and
Race
Point
Light
is
still
an
active
aid
to
navigation
.
You can park at Race Point Beach and walk about 45 minutes to the lighthouse.
You
can
park
at
Race
Point
Beach
and
walk
about
45
minutes
to
the
lighthouse
.
Sunset at Race Point Light is one of the Cape Cod's most popular scenes.
Sunset
at
Race
Point
Light
is
one
of
the
Cape
Cod
's
most
popular
scenes
.
And at times whales can be seen in the lighthouse.
And
at
times
whales
can
be
seen
in
the
lighthouse
.
For reservations to stay one night in the keeper's house at Race Point call (508) 487-9930.
For
reservations
to
stay
one
night
in
the
keeper
's
house
at
Race
Point
call
(
508
)
487-9930
.
Before the opening of the Cape Cod Canal in 1914, the only way ships could leave Boston was on a route around Race Point--the northern tip of Cape Cod. However, navigation during the 18th century was a nightmare, because the floating cross current around Race Point caused countless accidents. So building a lighthouse to lighten the place was very necessary.  As early as 1808, the people of Provincetown requested a lighthouse on Race Point, but it took Congress eight years to react when they finally paid $8,000 on April 27,1816 to build a lighthouse--Race Point Light, which was located in the town of Provincetown, Massachusetts. It was first built of stone 25 feet high with no foundation and its light was 30 feet above the sea. It was equipped with one of the nation's earliest revolving lights.  Actually, there were two other lighthouses on Cape Cod, but they were hit by a storm in October 1841. In the following year, Race Point Light was examined by I.W.P.Lewis, who realized the light's importance. He said, "The light should be useful to all ships leaving Boston. However, its illuminating power is so weak that people would hardly be able to differentiate it from the lights set on the ships which stay in the bay, or close by. It hasn't played its role as a lighthouse well."  The result was that old lighthouse was destroyed and a new iron lighthouse with a proper foundation was put up to take its place. The new lighthouse was 45 feet high. Although the original keeper's house was in good repair, it was destroyed too and a new one was built. Today the lighthouse has been automated and Race Point Light is still an active aid to navigation.  You can park at Race Point Beach and walk about 45 minutes to the lighthouse. Sunset at Race Point Light is one of the Cape Cod's most popular scenes. And at times whales can be seen in the lighthouse. For reservations to stay one night in the keeper's house at Race Point call (508) 487-9930.