Ron J
Active member
The "Three Sisters" were built in 1837,predecessor to the current Red/White Lighthouse in part one of the story.Remember,this Light was located at Chatham,as one on the "Twins" back then. It was decided to place a Lighthouse station between Highland Light,and the Chatham "Twins". To distinguish this location from a sailing vessel,way back then,it was decided to build a keepers house,and THREE lighthouses at a SINGLE location,150 feet apart!This by the way was the only place in the U.S.designated with THREE towers.They were built of brick,but a shabby job was performed,and had no foundations.They lasted longer than expected,and finally in 1892,THREE new movable wooden towers were built to replace the brick lights.Ironically the same year the brick towers were lost too the sea,from corrosion. It is said that one of the bases can still be seen,OFFSHORE... In 1911,due to the encroaching sea,and erosion,the Center Light was moved back near the keepers house.The north and south towers were discontinued due to maintenance costs,and the need for three lights,instead of a different single light sequence? So they sat dormant till 1918,when they were sold to a Mrs. Cummings of North Eastham,for $3.50! Three dollars and fifty cents!!! She had the towers moved,and became part of her summer camp. The Center tower,still active with a distinct 3 flashes every ten seconds,was moved back,and replaced by one of the "Chatham Twins",in 1923. The Center light was now sold to a Mr. Hall, who also made it part of his,summer camp! In 1965, The Natl Park Service purchased the North and South Towers,minus the lantern rooms,and in 1975,acquired the Central Sister. In 1983,all the "Sisters" were reunited and moved back to within a 1/4 mile of their original location,where they stand proudly today! Only the Center "Sister" has its lantern rooms.There wasn't enough funds to restore all of them. They were set 150 feet apart,and exactly 8.5 degrees off North,as in their original configuration!! You can view them at any time.[attachment 54845 lighthousesCapeCod001.jpg][attachment 54843 lighthousesCapeCod011.jpg][attachment 54844 lighthousesCapeCod012.jpg] More to come in part three.......RJ
.nice looking park around them.nice pics ron.