Boston Light, America's 2nd Oldest Lighthouse

If you love visiting lighthouses, Boston Light belongs on your list. Located on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor, this lighthouse marks the first lighthouse station established in what would become the United States. The first light from this site began on September 14, 1716. 

A lighthouse with deep roots

• The original Boston Light tower was destroyed during the American Revolution. 

• The current lighthouse was rebuilt in 1783 and is the second oldest working lighthouse in the United States.

• Though automated in 1998, Boston Light remained staffed until December 2023, when Sally Snowman, the last official U.S. lighthouse keeper, retired. 

• Today the lighthouse remains an active navigational aid, managed by the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Visiting Boston Light

• The lighthouse stands on a small island offshore. Visitors can reach Little Brewster Island only via boat or an organized tour.

• Once on the island, families can view the lighthouse tower from the outside, explore the keeper’s house and grounds, and enjoy sweeping views of Boston Harbor and open ocean.

• For older kids and teens, the visit can be a chance to learn about early American maritime history — colonial trade, navigation challenges, and the role of lighthouses in protecting sailors and ships.

Why Boston Light matters

Boston Light is more than a picturesque tower by the sea. It connects you directly to more than 300 years of American maritime history, from colonial times, through revolution and war, to modern technology.

Visiting helps you appreciate how people once navigated dangerous seas without modern instruments.

More information:

• Park Services

• Lighthouse Tours