East Chop Light

East Chop Light is a cast iron lighthouse with a cylindrical tower and circular gallery standing 14 meters tall on the eastern shore of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. The structure sits in an open location with clear views across the water and is designed to be visible from a great distance at sea.

The structure was built in 1878 to replace an earlier private lighthouse created by Captain Silas Daggett. It received official recognition through its listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

The lighthouse represents an important part of Martha's Vineyard's connection to the sea and serves as a visual landmark that locals and visitors recognize immediately. People come here to feel connected to the island's maritime past and to understand how communities once relied on such structures for safety.

The lighthouse is open to visitors on summer Sundays and select special occasions, with tours guided by local museum staff. Plan your visit during clear weather to fully appreciate the views from this coastal location.

The lighthouse went through notable color changes throughout its lifetime, shifting from white to reddish-brown in the 1880s before returning to white in 1988. These changes reflect different approaches to coastal maintenance practices over the decades.

Location: Oak Bluffs

Inception: 1869

Height: 14 m

Made from material: cast iron

GPS coordinates: 41.47026,-70.56745

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:47