Cape Ann (Thacher Island) MA
Harbour Lights #399

On August 14,1635, the vessel Watch and Wait was wrecked, in a violent storm, on the way to Marblehead from Ipswich. Anthony Thacher and his wife Elizabeth were the only survivors, a total of 21 lives were lost. In recompense for his losses, the General Court awarded Thacher the 50-acre island that Thacher dubbed "Thacher's woe." In 1771, the British of Massachusetts Bay Colony purchased the island, from the Thacher Family, for the purpose of building a light station, the cost was 500 pounds.

Unlike previously built lights that marked a harbor, the twin towers of Thacher Island, built in 1771, were to mark the Londoner Ledge, a submerged reef about .05 miles from the island. The twin lights of Thacher Island were the last built under British rule.

The original twin towers were 45' in height, octagonal and constructed of wood and stone. The towers were first lit on December 21,1771 and were immediately dubbed "Ann's Eyes".

During the American Revolution, the twin towers were dark and were not fully restored until 1784.

On August 7,1789, the United States Congress voted to bring control of the lighthouses to the Federal government under the Officers of the Cutter Services, the precursor to the United States Coast Guard.

In 1857, Congress appropriated $87,417.60 to build new towers. In 1860, the twin towers were razed and a temporary light was constructed. To the disappointment of Rockport residents the local iron-rich stone was considered too soft, the new towers would be of New Hampshire granite. The granite was cut, fitted and numbered, on the mainland and transported to the island. The new twin towers are 30' in diameter at the base, tapering to 18' to the 10' lanterns for a total of 124' and are 900' apart. The two First Order Fresnel lens were lit on October 1,1861. It was often necessary to have as many as five men to maintain the two lights and fog signal.

In 1876, near the south tower, a two-story dwelling was built for the Primary keeper. The 1816 brick dwelling that had been expanded several times is still standing. A Keepers dwelling that had been built by the south tower was later expanded into a duplex, it was however destroyed by fire in the 1950's.

In 1932, when the light was extinguished in the north tower, America lost its last station with twin lights. The light of the south tower and the fog whistle were automated in 1979 and the United States Coast Guard withdrew its four-man crew, in 1980.

Since 1983, The Thacher Island Association has been responsible for maintaining and extensive renovation to the island's structures. The hard work and dedication of members of The Thacher Island Association guarantees the future of "Cape Ann's Eyes."

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