Just off the tip of Cape Cod lies a treacherous cross current, or race, that gave the area its name. In the early 1800s, local residents petitioned the government to erect a lighthouse at the point as a guide to mariners coming around, en route to the Provincetown Harbor, and even with a sentinel, the dangerous coastline has seen scores of shipwrecks over the years.

One of its most famous disasters occurred in 1922, when the Annie L. Splindler–a British rumrunner carrying 800 cases of whiskey–hit Race Point during a gale. Rumor has it that the crew threw hundred of cases overboard before the ship came ashore. Following the rescue, most of the whiskey was recovered and placed on another vessel. However, 50 cases “disappeared,” and a search of the town failed to recover it. The hull of the old ship remained on the beach for many years and was used as a popular picnic spot until it eventually disintegrated, thus ending a colorful bit of maritime lore.

The first Race Point Light–the 3rd lighthouse constructed on Cape Cod–was lit on November 5, 1816. The 25' rubble tower was equipped with a light designed by Winslow Lewis–magnifying and reflecting light using half the oil of other lights. The government bought Lewis’ patent on the light for $20,000, and signed an agreement that he would fit and maintain all US beacons for a period of 7 years. The light at Race Point was one of the earliest revolving beacons.

The original tower was torn down, and a 45' brick and iron plate tower was reected in 1876. The new sentinel was equipped with a 4th-Order Fresnel lens. The 2-story Victorian keeper’s quarters, alone with a sound signal building and an oil house completed the Race Point complex. All of these buildings remain today.

Race Point Light embodies the qualities that a lighthouse lover would hope to find on a Cape Cod beachhead. The simple white conical tower is topped with a black lantern. The red-roofed, white clapboard dwelling is connected to the tower with a covered walkway. Sitting on a vast expanse of sand, it is a 45- to 60- minute walk from the nearest road to reach the tower. If you have a specially equipped 4-wheel drive vehicle and a required permit to drive on the sand of Cape Cod National Seashore, the 2-mile trek is considerably faster.

There is another reason to visit Race Point Light: the keeper’s dwelling now offers overnight accommodations. Afer being boarded up and unused for more than 20 years, a cadre of volunteers set about restoring the lovely old Victorian quarters to its original, historic appearance. The American Lighthouse Foundation has spearheaded the restoration of this historic tower. Volunteers from the Cape Cod Chapter of ALF began the work in 1995. Among its proudest achievements was replacing the tower door–an exact replica of the original, using wood from the era. Race Point Light’s rehabilitation has been the most expensive project to date by ALF, and the work continues.

In addition to welcoming overnight guests in the keeper’s house, there is also a museum, and the Center for Coastal Studies has leased and renovated the foghorn building for use as a field research center. A National Historic Landmark, Race Point Light remain an active aid to navigation, with the automated solar powered system maintained by the Coast Guard.

Wikipedia update (May, 2021): Race Point Light is a historic lighthouse on Cape Cod, in Provincetown, Massachusetts; it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The original tower, first illuminated in 1816, was replaced in 1876 with the current 45' tall iron-plated tower and a new keeper's dwelling. The American Lighthouse Foundation operates the property and rents out 2 buildings for overnight stays. The actual light is maintained by the Coast Guard. The site is reached by walking about 45 minutes over sand; with a National Park Service Over Sand Permit, a four-wheel-drive vehicle can be used.

Race Point Light was first established in 1816, the third light on Cape Cod (after Highland Light (1797) and Chatham Light (1808). The original light was a 25' (7.6 m) rubblestone tower that featured one of the earliest rotating beacons, which distinguished it from others on Cape Cod. In 1858 the light got a 4th-Order Fresnel lens and, in 1874, a second keeper's quarters.

In 1876, after significant deterioration of the original tower, it was replaced with a 45' tall cast iron tower lined with brick. The Fresnel lens was installed into the new tower. The original keeper's stone house was removed and replaced with one made of wood. Race Point Light was electrified in 1957. The larger keeper's house was removed in 1960 and the other was updated. The light was automated in 1972.

In 1995 the group updated the keeper's house and began offering rooms for overnight stays in 1998. A solar electrical system was installed in October 2003, and a wind turbine back-up generator was added in 2007. The light now uses a solar-powered VRB-25 optic with 400,000 candlepower, operated by the Coast Guard. Operation of the site is by the American Lighthouse Foundation. Tours are available on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from June until October. Both the Keeper's House and the Whistle House are available for overnight rental.

Race Point Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Race Point Light Station on June 15, 1987.

CONDITION: Very good. Displayed for a short time in glass-enclosed curio cabinet.

Each piece will be double boxed and packed for a 30' drop should that occur in handling. Shipper only insures first $50 valuation at no additional cost. PLEASE NOTE:  I will only refund this amount ($50) if damage occurs unless buyer has purchased additional insurance. If buyer wishes additional insurance, the cost associated with additional insurance will be calculated and buyer will pay additional cost. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT INSURANCE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PRIOR TO MAKING PAYMENT.  

If damaged in shipping, buyer must save damaged carton to show shipper’s rep condition of boxes.

NOTE: for the most part, I only collected full size Harbour Lights. GLOWS and Little Lights of Mine will be clearly identified as such should I find I have any.