C A P E   C O D

Massachusetts

The first lighthouse to be constructed on Cape Cod, Highland Lighthouse was originally a 45-foot wooden tower. Due to weaknesses caused by the wet climate, the wooden tower was replaced in 1831 with one made of brick. Originally placed a distant 500 feet from the edge of the bluff, by the late 1850s the ground underneath the lighthouse became unstable due to erosion. In 1856 the lightkeeper's house was rebuilt and one year later the tower was replaced with the current 66-foot brick tower.

New versus old. In the distance I witness technology actively competing with antiquity. I'm not sure what the castle like structure is, or what the bubble thingy is, for that matter.

Nearby I see this memorial to the 176 folks who parished aboard the steamer Portland. Well, they actually weren't aboard the ship when they died, I'm sure they were overboard. The ship sank 7 miles out to sea from this place.

Time to checkout the ocean. On the way I pass by this placard that marks the spot where the lighthouse used to be. Due to the aggressive erosion that this place receives, in 1996 they relocated the entire lighthouse 450 feet inland.

The observation deck is open and inviting. For good reason, they're operating under a policy of erosion control. I'm sure they would rather not relocate the lighthouse again. It makes you wonder, over time, will Cape Cod completely erode away?