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Marblehead Lighthouse

F G🇺🇸Northern Massachusetts, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Marblehead Lighthouse

Constructed in 1835, the current Marblehead Light structure is a square, skeletal tower that was erected in 1895, replacing the original brick and wood edifice. This tower is unique in New England for its design; a similar structure exists at Coney Island, New York. The tower's exterior is painted brown up to the gallery and black above the watch room. Its fixed green light sits 40 meters above mean high water and has a visibility range of 7 nautical miles. The lighthouse is located on Marblehead Neck in Essex County, Massachusetts.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Lighthouses of Massachusetts Thematic Group.

Background
Marblehead Light is situated on Marblehead Neck in Essex County, Massachusetts. The current tower is a skeletal structure that replaced the original 1835 brick and wood tower in 1895. It is the only tower of its type in New England; the next similar tower is to be found at Coney Island, New York. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, on June 15, 1987 as number #87001479 under Lighthouses of Massachusetts Thematic Group. The United States Coast Guard Light List description is "Square skeleton tower; brown to gallery; black above". The actual light is 130 feet (40 m) above Mean High Water. Its fixed green light is visible for 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi).

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F G
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
Green
Flash Count
1 flash
Focal Height
40m

Construction & History

Year Built
1835
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
J0304
USCG No.
1-10450
ARLHS No.
USA-473
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q6755250 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
32m
Tower Shape
pyramidal
Tower Color
light brown, lantern and watch room black
Material
brick

Location

City
Northern Massachusetts
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
42.5055°
Longitude
-70.8337°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Marblehead Lighthouse at night?+
Marblehead displays the characteristic F G. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Marblehead Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Marblehead Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Marblehead at 1 NM to the SW. Other ports served include Salem (2.3 NM WNW), PICKERING WHARF (2.5 NM WNW), Beverly (3.2 NM NW), Liberty (4.4 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Marblehead Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Marblehead Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Marblehead Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Marblehead Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.