Ned Point Light, Ned's Point Road, Mattapoisett, Massachusetts
Built in 1838, the original tower had a birdcage style lantern and was accompanied by a stone keeper's house. The keeper's house was relocated to Wing's Neck Light in Bourne, Massachusetts in 1923.
NED'S POINT LIGHT
Location: ENTRANCE TO MATTAPOISETT BAY, BUZZARD’S BAY NEAR MATTAPOISETT, MASSACHUSETTS
Station Established: 1838
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1838
Operational? YES
Automated? 1923
Deactivated: 1951-1963
Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED
Construction Materials: STONE
Tower Shape: CONICAL
Markings/Pattern: WHIT WITH BLACK LANTERN
Relationship to Other Structure: SEPERATE
Original Lens: FIFTH ORDER FRESNEL
Historical Information:
* $5,000 was appropriated in 1837 to build a light at Ned’s Point. The cost of the station was $4,500.
* Ned’s Point Light was first lit in March of 1838. It was built from stone found near the site. The tower boasts a unique architectural aspect. The 32 cantilevered granite steps are embedded in the wall without the use of mortar.
* The original lantern was “bird caged” style. At some time before 1888 the original lantern was replaced by an Octagonal style one. A fifth order Fresnel lens was installed in 1857. It’s possible the lantern room was changed at that time. The present lantern was installed in 1896.
* In 1888 a wood framed keeper’s house was built on the original foundation as the stone dwelling that was originally built. In 1923 the house was loaded onto a barge and floated across Buzzard’s Bay to Wing’s Neck Light in Bourne, Massachusetts.
* The light was deactivated in 1952. The land was sold to the town of Mattapoisett which developed it into a park. The light was reactivated in 1963. It remains an active aid to navigation.
Researched and written by Melissa Buckler, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society.