Point Gammon Light, Historic lighthouse in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts
Point Gammon Light is a stone lighthouse standing at the southern tip of Great Island, marking the eastern entrance to Hyannis Harbor. The 70-foot (21 m) tower rises prominently from this coastal location.
The lighthouse was built in 1816 following a petition to Congress, designed to protect vessels from dangerous waters at the harbor entrance. It remained active until its deactivation in 1858.
The lighthouse takes its name from a nautical term referring to the deceptive waters that once caused many shipwrecks in this area. The name itself tells the story of the hazards that made this location so important for navigation.
The lighthouse remains private property but can be viewed from boat tours that depart from Hyannis Harbor during the summer season. Plan your visit during warmer months when regular tours operate in the harbor area.
In the 1880s, Charles B. Cory transformed the location into one of America's first bird sanctuaries and constructed an observation platform atop the lighthouse. This early conservation effort placed the site at the forefront of wildlife protection.
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