Tag Archives: Lighthouses

1 – How far from the edge of the  cliffs is the Gay Head Lighthouse.

Answer : 47 feet

2 – Who was the first lighthousekeeper.

Answer: Ebenezer Skiff was the lighthousekeeper for 29 years from 1799 to 1828.. his salary was $200 a year.

3 – What year was the current red brick lighthouse built.

Answer : 1856.. the bricks were composed of clay from the cliffs or from the nearby Chilmark Brick Works.

4 – What year were the Fresnel lenses installed, and where are they now.

Answer: the Fresnel lenses were installed in 1856 and in 1952 moved to the Martha’s Vineyard Museum in Edgartown.  CLICK HERE

5 – What were the Fresnel lenses replaced with.

Answer: in 1952 the Fresnel lenses were replaced with high intensity electric beacons.

6 – How many times has the Gay Head Lighthouse been moved.

Answer: The lighthouse has been moved once.  In 1844 the first Gay Head Lighthouse had to be moved back 75 feet from the edge of the bluff.

How did you do ?

(If you wish to contribute to the Save The Gay Head Lighthouse fund please CLICK HERE)