Edgartown Harbor Light

Edgartown Harbor Light is a cast-iron conical tower at the entrance to the harbor and Katama Bay, equipped with a red flashing light that guides maritime traffic. The structure stands on a stone causeway overlooking the waterway into the historic harbor.

The original wooden lighthouse built in 1828 was destroyed during a hurricane in 1938, leading to the installation of the current cast-iron structure from Crane Beach in 1939. This replacement marked a shift to more durable materials and technologies for harbor navigation.

The Martha's Vineyard Museum operates the lighthouse and shares stories about the area's maritime traditions and the whaling industry that shaped the community. Visitors encounter exhibits that reveal how the sea influenced daily life and work on the island.

The lighthouse is open to visitors on weekends from May to October and weekdays during July and August for climbing the spiral staircase to the viewing platform. The causeway is accessible by foot, and weather conditions can affect access, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

Sand has accumulated around the stone causeway over the decades, transforming what was once an artificial island into a naturally connected beach area. Today visitors can walk to the lighthouse on foot without wading through water, a significant change from its original setting.

Location: Edgartown

Inception: January 1, 1939

GPS coordinates: 41.39088,-70.50306

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:05