East Chop Light

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East Chop Light

(Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts)

The East Chop Light is situated on the east side of the Vineyard Haven harbor. The closest town is Oak Bluffs. The name is derived from English terminology where where the word “Chop” was used to signify the entrance to a channel.

Vineyard Haven has always been an important harbor for Martha’s Vineyard and is currently their largest commercial harbor. Being an important port, Captain Silas Daggett constructed a lighthouse at East Chop in 1869. He operated this lighthouse privately until 1871 when it burned down. He built a new lighthouse on top of a house and operated this until 1878 when the government purchased the property.

When the government took over the property they built and new lighthouse and keeper’s house. A 40 feet tall lighthouse was constructed of cast iron and equipped with a Fresnel lens. Being on a hill, the focal plane of the light was 79 feet above sea level.

In 1934 the lighthouse as automated by the U.S. Coast Guard. At this time the keeper’s house and oil house were removed and the Fresnel lens replaced with a 300mm modern optic with a plastic lens. The light emits a green three-second flash every six seconds and can be seen for up to 15 miles.

The Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society currently has responsibility, under a contract from the U.S. Coast Guard, for maintenance of the light and they have announced plans to renovate the light.

Directions: From the Vineyard Haven ferry turn left and follow Beech Road to Eastville Ave. Turn left onto Temahegin Ave. then left onto Highland Drive. Follow to the lighthouse.

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