Cape Poge lighthouse is located on the eastern end of Chappaquiddick island which is located off the bigger island of Martha’s Vineyard. To get to Chappaquiddick you have to take a small, three car ferry from Edgartown called the On Time I or the On Time II. They’re called that because no matter when they run they’re always on time. To get to Cape Poge lighthouse you have to use a vehicle which will drive over deep sand or take a tour… no matter how you get out there it’s definitely worth it.
Cape Poge is the only wooden lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard. The original strucure was built in 1801. By 1838 it had been destroyed by the ravaging seas and rebuilt further inland. It was again rebuilt in 1893. The present structure was build in 1922 and in 1985 gained distinction as being the first lighthouse to be moved by helicopter. It is the only lighthouse on MV that has guy wires with sand anchors to help protect it from powerful winds.
4 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 23, 2007 at 3:33 am
--Deb
What? No photo credit?
December 27, 2007 at 5:44 am
Seamond
Joanie: How beautiful the inside of the tower and how different from the last time I was there, perhaps in 1955 or so, when the light itself was powered not by electricity, rather with huge wet cell batteries that lined the stairs (and leaked acid all over) and hindered our way to the top of the landing. Once up there, the view was incredible. On good days, you could see Nantucket, an arm of it, reaching toward the Vineyard and even the tip of Monomoy - Lord knows how far away. I’ve told you the story of our stormbound night we spent in the keeper’s house and how cold and scared we all were. It gave us time to think how hard an existance the former keepers of Cape Pogue had it there. I always think it rather ironic that as the gull flew they were so close to Edgartown, but as these keepers had to travel, well, they were 30 years away from Edgartown, indeed. I thank you for featuring your lovely photos of the new Cape Pogue and I laud the efforts of the present preservationists to keep this spot so lonely and loved all at the same time. Your buddy, Seamond
March 6, 2008 at 1:36 pm
MV With Kids … «
[...] If you take a jaunt over to the smaller island of Chappaquiddick, which is a three minute ferry ride from Edgartown, take time to stroll through Mytoi, the beautiful and peaceful Japanese garden. Also take a guided tour out to Cape Poge lighthouse. [...]
March 24, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Chappaquiddick … «
[...] Visit Cape Poge lighthouse. [...]