The Chatham Twins Lighthouse Station was established in 1808 with a pair of octagonal wooden towers. They were replaced in 1841 with twin brick towers which fell into the ocean in 1877 due to cliff erosion. The existing third pair of towers were built in 1877 from cast iron plate lined with brick. The existing keeper's house was also built in 1877 and is still in use as Coast Guard Station - Chatham. The twin towers were located on opposite sides of the keeper's house and the double signal was used to differentiate Chatham from the Cape Cod Highland light (which displayed a single white light). In 1923, the north tower was relocated farther north on Cape Cod and became the Nauset Beach Lighthouse (which replaced the Three Sisters of Nauset Lighthouses). There was no longer a need for multiple towers as improvements in lighting technology now permitted a single tower to flash a specific pattern called a characteristic. Chatham Light's characteristic is called "Group Flashing White" and gives a double flash every 10 seconds. The original lantern room was replaced in 1969 with a larger lantern room to permit the use of a rotating aero-beacon. The light was automated in 1982.

The Chatham Lighthouse continues to be an active aid to navigation operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. The 48 foot tall white tower with black trim and an oversized lantern continues to guide mariners to the Chatham Harbor and Nantucket Sound

November 2004 Issue, Ma and the Lighthouse by Linda L Anderson. At the beginning of World War Two, Helen Abrahamson joined the United States Coast Guard Women's Auxiliary - known as the SPARS. After being trained in the use of then secret technology, she was stationed at the Chatham Light Station along with 10 other SPARS to relieve 100 men previously stationed there for war duty. Armed and proficient with handguns, these 11 SPARS operated the newly developed LORAN system - Long Range Aid To Navigation that was put into use in October of 1942 to assist US Naval and Merchant shipping in navigating the Atlantic Ocean. Please go to the Lighthouse Digest Magazine Archives for the full article. Lighthouse Digest magazine not only keeps the history of our lighthouses alive both in print and on line, but it is the best single source to keep current on all aspects of lighthouse preservation, news and events

The Chatham Lighthouse is located on the grounds of Chatham US Coast Guard Station. The Coast Guard Station grounds are closed to the public except during open houses when visitors can tour the lighthouse with members of the USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 11-1.
Directions: From State Route 28 turn east onto Main Street in downtown Chatham. Continue through the business district and bear right (continue on Main St) at the "T" intersection with Shore Rd. Continue south on Main Street, Chatham Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean will appear on your left with a scenic overlook and parking area with beach access. The Chatham Lighthouse is on the right side (west) of the street opposite the parking area. Do not enter the fenced area of the Coast Guard Station without authorization or during an open house. Please go to the New England Lighthouses - A Virtual Guide for the current scedule of open houses.

For more photographs and history of the Chatham Lighthouse, you can visit the:

United States Coast Guard Historians' Official Web Site

Lighthouse Explorer Database

New England Lighthouses - A Virtual Guide

For other area attractions and info, you can visit the: