Nantucket Harbor Range Lights

The Nantucket Harbor Range Lights are two pyramidal skeleton towers with red and white vertical stripes that guide vessels into the harbor. The rear tower stands taller than the front one, positioned to work together as a navigation aid.

The two towers were established in 1908 as an improvement to harbor navigation systems. They replaced an earlier arrangement that relied on different reference points for guiding ships safely into port.

The Gilbreth family, known from the book Cheaper by the Dozen, purchased similar range lights in 1921 and named the towers Mic and Cyc.

The towers are accessible from Brant Point and easily visible from the water. Visitors can observe the navigation system from various vantage points along the shoreline.

The front tower carries the official name Nantucket Reef Range Front Light, though historians remain puzzled about why the word reef appears in its designation. The name hints at navigation concerns that were significant when the towers were established.

Location: Massachusetts

GPS coordinates: 41.28917,-70.09167

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:20