The original Edgartown lighthouse was built on a small man-made island in Edgartown harbor in 1828.  For the first year the only way to get to it was by boat until a foot bridge was built.   The first structure was replaced in 1938 by one that was brought by raft from Ipswich, MA.  Although the new light was placed on the original site, sand had filled in the area between the island and the mainland, and the current lighthouse stands on the shore.

This past year the Edgartown lighthouse, as well as the East Chop lighthouse, have undergone extensive renovations.  As reported in the Oct 5, 2007 online issue of the Vineyard Gazette: 

“Harmful peeling paint in the interior of the lighthouse has been sandblasted and hauled away.  A new marine epoxy has been applied to the 80 cast-iron panels that make up the structure.”  “Prior to the recent renovation work, only the beacon shone at night, and the windows below were covered by plywood and painted to look real.  Following the renovation it will be open to the public.”

The renovation has been completed, click here to see the progress.

The five lighthouses of MV:  Edgartown, West Chop, East Chop,  Cape Poge and Aquinnah.