Portsmouth Harbor Light
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Portsmouth Quick Facts
Year Station Established: 1771
Is the Light operational? Yes
Year Light First Lit: 1877
Year Automated: 1960
Shape: Conical
Tower Height: 48 ft.
Original Optic: 4th Order, Fresnel
Present Optic: 4th Order, Fresnel
Existing Keepers Quarters? Yes
Year Constructed: 1872
Number of Stories: 1.5
Architectural Style:
Construction Materials: Wood
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Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
Portsmouth, NH
More Photos
(20 photos, 555KB total download)
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse Videos
[Windows Media]
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Last Visited: August, 2003
History:
Also known at the Fort Point or Fort Constitution lighthouse, the first light here was constructed in 1771. It consisted of a lamp hoisted up a flag pole. The present-day iron tower, located 1,000 feet from the original light, was constructed in 1877. It was refurbished in 1977. The lighthouse also carries great historical significance when in 1774, colonists overpowered the British garrison, named Fort William and Mary, and confiscated military supplies. The act is considered the first overt act of the Revolutionary War.
Source:
seacostonline.com
Hours:
Go to http://www.portsmouthharborlighthouse.org/ for information on tours and open houses.
Personal Note:
If you're in the Portsmouth area when one of the open houses is happening, you can't pass it up. It's well worth it.
Latitude/Longitude: 43°04'N 70°43'W
Directions:
- From Route 1 in downtown Portsmouth take Route 1A SOUTH.
- Follow Route 1A south until you get to Route 1B on your left. The road is called Wentworth Road.
- Take Route 1B/Wentworth Rd. appx. 2.3 miles. The road will go sharply to the left. There should be signs for Fort Constitution and the Coast Guard base.
- Also, about 1/2 mile before the fort on the right should be a sign for Great Island Common. You can go there to view Portsmouth Harbor Light as well as Whaleback light.
- (This might not be the most direct way to the lighthouse but we found it to be the easiest)
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