Egg Rock Light

Egg Rock Light is a lighthouse featuring a 40-foot brick tower with an attached keeper's dwelling, situated on a rocky islet in Massachusetts Bay. The structure is built from sturdy masonry designed to withstand the harsh conditions at this exposed location.

Egg Rock Light went into service in 1856 and has marked the entrances to Nahant Bay and Salem Sound for maritime traffic ever since. The structure remained staffed by keepers for over 100 years before becoming automated in the 1970s.

The lighthouse held deep meaning for keeper families who made it their home and shaped daily life on the rocky island. This human presence defined the place until automated systems took over in the 1970s.

The lighthouse can be viewed from several coastal vantage points in Lynn and Nahant, and boat tours offer closer perspectives. Clear weather provides the best viewing conditions since the structure sits far from shore on its rocky island.

The lighthouse houses a fog signal system that emits two distinct sound blasts every 30 seconds during poor visibility. This audio warning was as crucial as the light itself for sailors to navigate safely through the foggy waters.

Location: Essex County

Inception: 1856

GPS coordinates: 42.43333,-70.89806

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:23