Sankaty Head Massachusetts
On the Move
Harbour Lights #367

Built at a cost of $10,330, Sankaty Head was set on a 90’ bluff off the south eastern shore of Nantucket Island. The 10 acres were purchased in May 1849 for a price of $250.

The 60’ brick and granite tower was fitted with New England’s first Fresnel lens, the Second Order lens having a focal plane of 158’. Sankaty Head was the first American Lighthouse to have a Fresnel lens as original equipment. The tower was painted with a red and white stripe to serve as a day mark.

It was Isaiah William Penn Lewis, nephew of Winslow Lewis, who made the recommendation that the light be built in 1843; citing the dangerous shoals of Nantucket that were feared by the most seasoned of mariners.

In 1888, the tower was raised 10’ and a new lantern room was built. The lantern room had glass walls that were 12” thick to protect the lens from the harsh weather and storms.

In 1933, electricity replaced the incandescent oil-vapor lamp that was installed in 1912 to replace the original wick lamp. So powerful was the lamp that it was reported that the lite could be seen for as many as 40 miles. The “Blazing star” as local fishermen called the light was such a popular tourist attraction that the opening in the lantern room had to be enlarged to accommodate the hoop skirts of the women visitors.

In 1950, after a century of service, the Fresnel Lens was removed and replaced by a rotating aero-beacon. The Second Order Lens is on display at the Nantucket Whaling Museum.

In 1990, the Army Corps of Engineers estimated that in 10 years, the Sankaty head Light would be in danger of falling into the sea as a result of the eroding bluff. Erosion controls were successful in delaying the inevitable - the move of the Lighthouse further inland.

In 2006, ‘Sconset Trust (gifted Santaky Head by the US Congress) contracted with International Chimney of Buffalo NY to move the tower for an estimated $4.0 million. International Chimney and a sub-contractor, Expert House Movers, a company with which they had previously worked to move such historic Lights including Cape Hatteras, SE Block Island, Nauset Beach and the Highland Light Station spent 14 years to plan the seven day move.

On Wednesday, September 24th 2007 with the permission of the United States Coast Guard the 150 year old Light was extinguished and relit Saturday November 24th 2007 at its new location 280’ from its original location.

"To me, the most important part of the location of the lighthouse is that it is a Nantucket project and not a 'Sconset project," said Bob Felch, president of the 'Sconset Trust. "We've got the school kids involved and we're actually just starting to reach out to the business community."