Stage Harbor Light

Stage Harbor Light is a 48-foot cast iron tower with a white conical structure standing at the entrance of Stage Harbor to guide vessels through Nantucket Sound. The tower marks a key navigation reference point in this maritime passage.

The light was built in 1880 with federal funds and operated until 1933, when it was replaced by a skeleton tower about 200 feet to the west. This change reflected advances in navigation technology that required less prominent structures.

The name Stage Harbor comes from wooden racks where fishermen dried their catch in early maritime times. This detail shows how deeply connected the community was to the sea and its resources.

The lighthouse is private property and cannot be entered, but it can be observed from Harding's Beach or from Sears Road across the harbor. The best view is from the shore, where you can see the structure without obstacles.

The lighthouse aligned with Chatham Twin Lights to create a range system that helped ships navigate through the deep water channel of Chatham Roads. This navigation system was a clever use of multiple lights for safe passage.

Location: Barnstable County

Inception: 1880

Made from material: cast iron

GPS coordinates: 41.65861,-69.98361

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:06