As part of a $2 million renovation, the lantern from the Scituate Lighthouse in Scituate, Massachusetts has been removed from the tower. A recent investigation found that the lantern had deteriorated to point where it might be blown off in high winds, which are frequent to the area.
This is the second time in the history of the 1811 lighthouse that it has been headless. After the completion and lighting of the nearby Minot’s Ledge Lighthouse, the government removed the lantern from Scituate Lighthouse in 1860. It remained headless until 1930 when the Town of Scituate had a lantern made and installed it in 1930.
The town will use the old lantern as a prototype to build a brand-new lantern that they expect to install sometime next year. It is hoped to eventually put the old lantern on display somewhere in the community.
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