Scituate Lighthouse was built in 1810, along with the keepers quarters, oil house, and well. In 1814, a British fleet entered the harbor with plans to burn the town down. The absent keeper's two daughters extinguished the light, and played a fife & drums in the woods nearby, hoping to fool the British that the troops were arriving. The prank worked, and the British fleet withdrew.
|
The tower is constructed of split faced granite blocks with rubble backing. In 1827 the height was increased an 18 feet. An unsuccessful "two lamp" approach was finally abandoned in 1852 when the lower lamp was removed. The upper lamp was converted to a more powerful Fresnel lens in 1855. The light was deactivated in 1860, after the lighting of Minots Ledge Light.
|
