iBoston.org is your site for Boston history and architecture. In addition, you can find
information on Boston's public places, art, historic people and events. iBoston also
has a research area where you can learn how Boston grew physically as well as in
population.
This Day in Boston History
January 29th, 1964
Boston Light
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On this day
- America's first light house, originally built in 1716, was declared
a National Historic Landmark.
British forces occupying Boston held Boston light for two years during
the American Revolution. Rebel raiding parties twice set it on fire in
hope of depriving their enemies of its service. When the British withdrew
from Boston in March, 1776, they blew the top of this light house off
with explosives.
Massachusetts rebuilt the light house in 1783. The builders followed the
light house's original plans and used the surviving sections of the 1716
tower in the new structure.
Boston Light's two million candlepower light is visible for over 16 miles
- and though it is no longer the critical asset it was in colonial times,
it remains the oldest active light house in the United States and is a
picturesque landmark.
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From the writers of iBoston.org |
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