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Originally
built in 1797 and reconstructed in 1857, Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse is
the oldest, highest, and most important lighthouse on Cape Cod. The first
light was from whale oil, then lard oil, then kerosene, then electricity
in 1932. Automated since 1986, it is still a functioning U.S. Coast Guard
light. Locally it is known as Highland Light yet on maritime charts it is
officially named Cape Cod Light.
Highland Light
has survived all hurricanes and storms and seen hundreds of shipwrecks. It
has welcomed our ancestors as their first glimpse of America and in the
1850’s it was a favorite stop for Henry David Thoreau. When visiting the
Highland Light, it was Thoreau who said,
“A
man can stand here and put all of America behind him.”
Among the
many exhibits in the Interpretive Room, you may view a 10-minute video,
including time lapse photography, showing the history and more of
Highland Light.) The video is for sale in our Gift Shop.)
You'll also
enjoy the view from our Observation Deck located at the edge of a 120’
high cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Highland
Gift Shop
Don’t
miss our Gift Shop in the Keeper's house! We offer hundreds of light-
house
and other local memorabilia. Choose from ceramics to t-shirts, glassware
to mouse pads, as well as reproductions of paintings of the Light, Christmas ornaments, recipe books and much, much more.
Finally, did you know
that our lighthouse
...is the 4th
most powerful lighthouse in the United States
...has the capacity of four-million-candlepower
...is visible for 20 miles
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