Plum Island Lighthouse

The Friends of Newburyport Lighthouse open the lighthouse up for tours on a number of Sunday afternoons during the summer. (Check the local newspaper for open house announcements). The tours are free. There is free parking. Donations are welcomed. It offers some nice views of the mouth of the Merrimack River, Plum Island, and Newburyport Harbor.

The current 45 foot tall round lighthouse was built in 1898. The first pair of lighthouses on northern end of Island were built 1787. A detailed history can be found at Newburyport Harbor (Plum Island) Lighthouse.

Looking down the circular staircase inside the lighthouse

Detailed look at the lighthouse's wall construction. note how the boards are set an angle. It provides additional strength to the structure to withstand the ocean's gales.

 

North Jetty and Salisbury Beach State Reservation with many beach goers on this warm day.

Some fishermen on the North Jetty

 

Busy boat traffic in the river

 

View of the South Jetty

 

Ominous storm clouds gather along the river

 

 

 Storm clouds reflected in glass windows of the lighthouse