New England Lighthouses: Visit The Three Sisters

Of all the dramatic tales of New England lighthouses, none may be more theatrical than the saga of The Three Sisters. This trio of lights sits just 10 minute's drive south of the hotel in Eastham, Massachusetts. While we've captured the broad strokes here, make sure and plan a tour during your early autumn visit to Endless Coast. The story is long and full of twists and turns!

New England Lighthouses Offer Romantic History

Built in 1863, The Three Sisters of Nauset are a trio of historic New England lighthouses located off Eastham's Cable Road. This is the very southern tip of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Soon after their commissioning, the lights gained the nickname “The Three Sisters.” From ships they looked like women in white dresses wearing snazzy black hats.

Falling prey to decay and the onslaught of coastal erosion, they fell into the sea in 1890. Soon, they were replaced by wooden towers on brick foundations. The new towers stood twenty-two feet tall.  An added seven feet made the "sisters" even more statuesque. All thanks to a revised lantern housing. 

According to the informative website, Cape Cod Lighthouses, "In 1911, two of The Three Sisters were decommissioned. One of them, known as the Beacon, was moved back from the shoreline and attached to the keeper’s house. It operated for some time, but ultimately, was replaced by the Nauset Light." 

The 49-foot steel tower opened in 1923 and operates to this day.

Plan your visit by visiting the National Parks Planner Website here.