61 1/2 Water Street

History

This late-nineteenth-century lighthouse is unusual in its form. It is square and of brick. The structure’s architectural details are straightforward, limited to a square granite lintel over the entrance. This is the only lighthouse in Newburyport, except for one on Plum Island. The light is also unusual in that it is located in a densely built-up area of the city.

Exterior: The 144-square-foot, 53-foot-high square tower was constructed in 1873 of brick, steel, and wood. The exposed brick walls of the tower were painted initially white only on the upper 1/3 of the north side—facing the river—with a thick white stripe running the length of the tower. A single 1/1 window with a wood frame and stone sill is situated midway in the tower on the south side directly above the door.

Foundation: The tower’s foundation is made of beveled stone blocks, with some spalling evident.

Door: Two concrete steps lead up to a four-panel painted wooden door with a granite lintel above.

Interior: Directly inside the square tower is a wooden floor (in disrepair) and an iron staircase, which is probably not original. The stairs ascend around the outside walls so that at every sixth stair there is a small square landing.

Stairs: The uppermost flights are of wood and slightly unstable, but may be original. The railing is of molded hardwood.

Lens Room: The entire lens room is of iron, including the floor. Embedded in the floor are trapezoidal glass blocks that allow light to filter down into the tower’s interior. The eight-sided lens room has four windows facing inland that are blocked by diagonal sheathing. In contrast, the four facing northeast toward Goose Rocks and Plum Island are open to the light. The original wood cupboard along one wall is intact: it consists of a single-paneled door with plain molding and one shelf inside.

Balcony: A small iron half-door leads to the square balcony, which is also of iron. The horizontal railing is of a simple design—three thin vertical posts on each of the four sides, with a single horizontal railing lying atop them.

On April 5, 1873, this parcel of land was sold to the United States Government for use as the site of a new range light. The lighthouse was erected in the following years and was owned by the government until 1964. At that time, the light was discontinued and, in accordance with the original deed, the land reverted to the Bayley heirs.

The Bayley heirs conveyed the property to Biaggio DeMaggio. In 1971, the property was sold to Gordon Hall and Mike Masconi.

The Newburyport Harbor Range Lights retain integrity of location, design, materials, and workmanship, as well as significant associations with the development of aids to navigation in Massachusetts. Constructed in 1873, they are important as one of only three sets of range lights in the state and as part of an essential historic waterfront. Although the front light has been moved and altered somewhat, this pair (front and rear range lights) remains the best example of a range light system in Massachusetts.

1873: Robert Bayley sold this parcel of land to the U.S. Government to erect a range light.

1933: Candlepower was changed from 2000 to 690, and the illuminant changed from coal gas to 300 mm electric in candlepower. An underground cable for the Boston and Maine Railroad was laid between the two range lights.

1949: The face and structure were painted white; the door sill was repaired. Reported in good condition.

1961: The light was discontinued.

1954: The brick tower was sold to Biagio-Gene DeMaggio, owner also of the Range Lights Marina located on Bayley’s Wharf.