The original beacons constructed in Chatham were two pyramidal shaped wood towers on sturdy timber foundations in 1808. The seperate lights were chosen to help distinguish them from other beacons in the area. By 1841, they were badly deteriorated, so two larger 40 foot high brick towers were constructed inland to replace the originals. In 1879, the south tower fell over the encroaching bluff, with the north tower doomed to follow 2 years later.
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In 1877, two cast iron towers were built even further inland, at 100 yards apart. 4th order Fresnel lenses were added to each, as well as a twinplex keeper's quarters & oil house. In 1923, the north tower was dismantled and moved to N. Eastham to become the Nauset Beach Light. The light is still active, and the house is a Coast Guard Station. We had the opportunity in 1997 of touring inside the CG Station and climbing the tower.
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