Time and Tides

A few years ago, on a cold brisk day in February, the newspaper said that something interesting had been uncovered at Nauset Beach. Tim and I bundled up, grabbed some coffee, a few cookies, and headed to the beach only to discover and find the remains of one of the Three Sisters Lighthouses in Eastham, Massachusetts - Cape Cod.

These photos depict whats left of one of the brick foundations built either in 1838 or 1892.

Waiting for what the tides will uncover.

A little clearer.

Ahaa! A brick foundation.

Original Three Sisters Lighthouses with dwelling.

The Three Sisters of Nauset are a trio of historic lighthouses off Cable Road in Eastham, Massachusetts. In 1836, the people of Eastham petitioned Congress for more lighthouses. In the north of Cape Cod in Truro was Highland Light with one light, the second Lighthouse was located South in Chatham with a tower flanking either end of the light keepers house, from a distance the 'twin' towers signaled two lights. 

Eastham needed to distinguish itself from these lighthouses along the coastline, so, the Three Sisters were built in 1838 and set 150 feet apart in a straight line, these three fifteen foot brick towers were built on Nauset Beach.

Three Sisters Lighthouses circa.1892

 

 Falling prey to coastal erosion and decay brought by time and poor maintenance, the original lights fell into the sea in 1890 and were replaced in 1892 by wooden towers on brick foundations that stood twenty-two feet tall.

 

Another view of the Three Sisters

 

Three Sisters Lighthouses viewed from the sea.

 

These lighthouses gained the nickname of 'Three Sisters' because sailors thought they looked like three women wearing white dresses and black hats.

 

 

Today, on Cable Road close to Nauset Beach, you can view the three wooden sisters that were repurposed into private cottages upon their decommission, and finally reunited and preserved in 1983. They stand as they stood generations ago.

 

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