Highland Light
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| Location | North Truro, Massachusetts |
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| Coordinates | 42°2′22.282″N 70°3′39.377″W / 42.03952278°N 70.06093806°WCoordinates: 42°2′22.282″N 70°3′39.377″W / 42.03952278°N 70.06093806°W |
| Year first constructed | 1797 |
| Year first lit | 1857 (current structure) |
| Automated | 1987 |
| Foundation | Natural/emplaced |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Conical |
| Markings / pattern | White with black lantern |
| Height | 66 feet (20 m) |
| Focal height | 170 feet (52 m) |
| Original lens | 1st order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | VRB-25 |
| Range | 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 5s, lighted continuously |
| Fog signal | none |
| Admiralty number | J0390 |
| ARLHS number | USA-110 |
| USCG number |
1-500 |
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Highland Light Station
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| Location | Off SR 6, Truro, Massachusetts |
| Area | 6.5 acres (2.6 ha) |
| Built | 1857 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Part of | Truro Highlands Historic District (#11000823) |
| MPS | Lighthouses of Massachusetts TR |
| NRHP Reference # | 87001463 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | June 15, 1987 |
| Designated CP | November 22, 2011 |
1-500
The Highland Light (previously known as Cape Cod Light) is an active lighthouse on the Cape Cod National Seashore in North Truro, Massachusetts. The current tower was erected in 1857, replacing two earlier towers that had been built in 1797 and 1831. It is the oldest and tallest lighthouse on Cape Cod.
The grounds are open year-round, while the light is open to the public from May until late October, with guided tours available. Highland Light is owned by the National Park Service, and was cared for by the Highland Museum and Lighthouse, Inc. until 2014 when Eastern National, another non-profit group, took over the contract to operate the facility as a tourist attraction. The United States Coast Guard operates the light itself as an aid to navigation. The United States Navy ship USS Highland Light (IX-48) was named after the light. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Highland Light Station.
In 1797, a station authorized by George Washington was established at this point on the Cape, with a wood lighthouse to warn ships about the dangerous coastline between Cape Ann and Nantucket. It was the first light on Cape Cod. In 1833, the wood structure was replaced by a brick tower and in 1840 a new lantern and lighting apparatus was installed. In 1857 the lighthouse was declared dangerous and demolished, and for a total cost of $17,000, the current 66 foot brick tower was constructed.
On June 6, 1900, the light was changed from a fixed beam to flashing, with a new. The new Barbier, Benard & Turenne first-order Fresnel lens had four panels of 0.92 meter focal distance, revolved in mercury, and gave, every five seconds, flashes of about 192,000 candlepower nearly one-half second in duration. While the new lens was being installed, the light from a third-order lens was exhibited atop a temporary tower erected near the lighthouse; it was later sold at acution. The Highland Light was then the most powerful on the East Coast. Two four-horsepower oil engines with compressors operated by an engine fueled by kerosene, were added to ensure that the fog signal could be activated within 10 minutes instead of the previous forty five. A new fog signal was installed in 1929, an electrically operated air oscillator, for greater distance range.
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