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Photo: Nauset Light, Eastham.

Moving Lighthouses

Highland Light
Over the centuries, the relentless pounding of the surf has caused significant erosion along the coastline. As a result, most Cape and Island lighthouses have been rebuilt or moved inland for protection. In 1996, Highland Light (also called Cape Cod Light) in Truro and Nauset Light in Eastham were moved to prevent them from a perilous fall into the sea.

In May 1796, President George Washington authorized the construction of Highland Light, now distinguished as the oldest lighthouse on Cape Cod. It was erected in 1797, rebuilt in 1853, then replaced four years later by the current structure.

The original lighthouse was set back about 500 feet from the cliff. Each year, though, erosion claimed about three feet of the bluff, and major storms like the one in January 1990, claimed significantly more.

By the mid 1990s, the keeper's dwelling was within 100 feet of the bluff's edge. Local, state and federal constituencies joined forces to raise the $1.54 million necessary to save the historic light from certain destruction.

In the old days, workers dismantled lighthouses, then floated them by barge to new locations. Different times, however, call for different measures. In July 1996, International Chimney Inc. of Buffalo and Expert House Movers, came to Truro to move the 66-foot high, 420-ton landmark.

Hydraulic jacks moved the light along steel rails, generously greased with soap. As the light inched along, spectators put quarters in the paths of the massive steel rollers. The flattened coins became souvenirs of the great moved.

As imagined, the process was painstakingly slow. At the end of the first day, the light had moved a mere 20 feet. Eighteen days later, though, the light, suffering only a few minor cracks, stood at a safe distance 570 feet from the edge of the bluff. The wooden keeper's house was moved separately and rejoined to the lighthouse.

Nauset Light
It was not surprising that Nauset Light was in the same danger. This light, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1887. The exterior of the 48-foot high landmark is cast iron; brick lines the interior. Before being moved to its Eastham location, it was the sister to Chatham Light.

In 1993, The Nauset Lighthouse Preservation Society formed to raise funds for the move planned for 1997. However, accelerated erosion called for earlier action. In November of 1996, just months after the relocation of Highland Light, Nauset Light stood less than 25 feet from the edge of a sixty-foot high bluff. Like Highland, the light was moved in one piece and should be safe for many years.

Its striking red and white markings appeal to photographers and help mariners distinguish its from Highland Light to the north and Chatham Light to the South.