A view of Gurnet Light in Plymouth, which could soon be under new ownership. Photo: Jim MacKay / WBZ NewsRadio
PLYMOUTH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — If you frequent the waters of Plymouth Bay, you likely know about the white lighthouse that sits on Gurnet Point, nestled at the base of Saquish Beach. Well, the 34-foot-tall Gurnet Light is one of six that the federal government is giving away for free.
The General Services Administration announced in May that it was looking to sign over six lighthouses this year to agencies, foundations or non-profits that might be interested. Most of those lights are in New England, stretching the seacoast from Maine to Connecticut. Some of the lighthouses are iconic sights on the beach, including Gurnet Light and Nobska Light in Wood's Hole.
According to the GSA, Gurnet Light was built in 1768, then reconstructed in 1842 after a fire burned it to cinders decades before. Currently the lighthouse helps the United States Coast Guard, powered by electricity. It's equipped with a working fog horn in case of emergencies.
A local preservation non-profit, Project Gurnet & Bug Lights, Inc., says it has applied to become the new owner of its namesake light. The non-profit already manages Gurnet Light and neighboring Bug Light, which sits in the waters of Plymouth Bay. The federal government lists the non-profit as the tenant of Gurnet.
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WBZ's Jim MacKay spoke to residents who grew up surrounded by the shining presence of Gurnet Light.
"To put it bluntly, it would be a totally different community if that were not there — I kind of always took it for granted," said one resident.
The six lighthouses are being offered up to non-profits and agencies first, and none of those check out, the properties will be sold for public sale. An additional four lighthouses in Ohio, Michigan, and Connecticut will go straight to public auction in June.
WBZ's Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.
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