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Managing Organization:
City of New Bedford
Telephone: 508-979-1400
Website: http://ci.new-bedford.ma.us
Contact Address Information:
133 William Street
New Bedford
Massachusetts, United States
Notes:
The Coast Guard decomissioned Butler Flats Light it was leased to the City of New Bedford in 1978. It was lighted as a private aid and was one of the nation's earliest solar powered lighthouses. The lighthouse was refurbished by volunteers and by inmates from the Bristol County House of Correction. It was relighted with a new optic on its 100th birthday, April 30, 1998.
Tower Height: 53
Height of Focal Plane: 53
Characteristic and Range: Flashing white every four seconds.
Description of Tower: White cylindrical brick tower with black cast iron lantren, on cast iron and concrete caisson.
This light is operational
Other Buildings?
None.
Date Established: 1898
Date Present Tower Built: 1898
Date Automated: 1978
Optics: 1898: Fifth order Fresnel lens; 1978: solar powered modern optic; 1998: Tidelands RB-300 MaxLumina rotating beacon, visible for six miles.
Fog Signal: 1898: Fog bell and striking machinery.
Current Use: Active private aid to navigation.
Open To Public? No.
Directions:
Butler Flats Light can be seen from the New Bedford waterfront along East Rodney French Boulevard. A closer view is possible from the New Bedford-Martha's Vineyard ferry (passengers only) leaving Billy Woods Wharf on East Rodney French Boulevard. Call Cape Island Express Lines, Inc., at (508) 997-1688 for information.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Keepers: Amos Baker, Jr. (1898-1911) (died in service); Charles A. Baker (1911-1941); Leland S. Rose (1943-1946)
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