A Closer Look at the East Chop Light
East Chop Light sits across Telegraph Hill. East Chop once hosted a telegraph tower.
East Chop Light sits across Telegraph Hill. East Chop once hosted a telegraph tower.
Before 1988 the iron was painted brown, as seen in this watercolor by Sanford Low, and had the nickname chocolate lighthouse. It was later painted white
Before 1988 the iron was painted brown, as seen in this watercolor by Sanford Low, and had the nickname chocolate lighthouse. It was later painted white
Lighthosue is 40 feet tall.
Lighthosue is 40 feet tall.
Light of a full blue moon to the left, East Chop Light to the right.
Light of a full blue moon to the left, East Chop Light to the right.
Iconic image by Alison Shaw.
Iconic image by Alison Shaw.
Lighthouse light and sunset over the sound.
Lighthouse light and sunset over the sound.
Black and white rendition by Roy Imhoff.
Black and white rendition by Roy Imhoff.
Beautiful spot to watch the sun set.
Beautiful spot to watch the sun set.
Standing sentinel in snowy season.
Standing sentinel in snowy season.
Christmas decorations to match the green light.
Christmas decorations to match the green light.
Lighthouse and star full of stars.
Lighthouse and star full of stars.
Double rainbow for good luck.
Double rainbow for good luck.
A peeek through the porthole.
A peeek through the porthole.
On a snowy day.
On a snowy day.
Enjoying the sunset view.
Enjoying the sunset view.
In July the roses bloom.
In July the roses bloom.
East Chop Light is one of five lighthouses that stand on Vineyard shores, a well-loved landmark perched high above Nantucket Sound. The 142-year-old lighthouse sit on Telegraph Hill, so-named because a telegraph station once stood on the spot where the lighthouse is now. In 1869 the first lighthouse was built there to guide sailors arriving at present-day Vineyard Haven. That structure burned down in 1871 and was later rebuilt
The current cast-iron lighthouse was built in 1876, after the governorment purchased the property. The lighthouse guided whaling ships to safety as they traveled Nantucket and Vineyard sounds. Today the green light greets mariners from the high bluff, though the lighthouse appearance has changed. It was long painted light brown, and known to many as the chocolate lighthouse. In 1988 it was painted white, just like the lighthouses at Cape Pogue, Edgartown harbor, and West Chop.