South Hyannis Light

Hyannis Massachusetts

The original lighthouse at South Hyannis was a shack with a lamp and reflector borrowed from Point Gammon. Given that Hyannis harbor was a busy harbor in the 19th century, the government established a lighthouse - a small, white tower - at the harbor entrance in 1849. A keeper's house was constructed in 1850. A Fresnel lens was installed in 1856.

A lighthouse keeper position was a political appointment. This is apparent from the list of keepers at South Hyannis. The first keeper, Daniel Snow Hallett, was replaced in 1849 (when Millard Fillmore was elected) by James Bearse. When Franklin Pierce was elected, Bearse was replaced by Daniel Hallett's brother Almoran.

The wharf at Hyannis was a very busy place in the late 1800's. There were moorings for a dozen ships, a daily steamer from Nantucket, and several businesses. Keeper John Peak would often have to ask the railroad nearby to move freight cars parked near the beacon, which blocked the short light! (Clark, p. 108)

In 1885 a lamp set atop a 20-foot tower was installed at the end of the wharf, to serve as a range light. The tower was rebuilt in 1886 due to problems of the range light blowing out during storms. The main light had a summer kitchen and oil house added in 1889.