The Lighthouse Army of Two defended Scituate Light in 1814

Perched atop Cedar Point in Scituate, Massachusetts, Old Scituate Light, also known as Scituate Light, shines as a historical beacon. The lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 and is recognized as the 11th lighthouse in the United States. It serves as a landmark of resilience, most notably for the actions of two women during the War of 1812.

In September, 1814, Rebecca and Abagail Bates - known as the Lighthouse Army of Two - warded off an attack by British soldiers by playing their fife and drum loudly. The British retreated because they believed the sound came from the Scituate town militia. The lighthouse itself was completed two months ahead of schedule on September 19, 1811. However, in 1850, it was removed from service due to the construction of the Minot's Ledge Light. It returned to service in 1852 after a storm destroyed the first Minot's Ledge Light and received a new Fresnel lens in 1855.

In 1860, the light was again removed from service after the second tower at Minot's Ledge was built. For the next 60 years, the structure fell into disrepair. The town of Scituate purchased the lighthouse for $4,000 in 1917. Following the addition of a replica lantern in 1930, the Scituate Historical Society appropriated $6,500 for repairs in 1962. The lighthouse was relit in 1991 with a light visible only from land, before becoming a private aid to navigation visible from the sea in 1994.

In October 2022, the lantern room was removed from the top of the tower as part of a $2M renovation. The lantern room will be completely reconstructed along with other interior renovations. Occasional tours are available from the Scituate Historical Society, while the keeper's house remains a private residence. The current keeper is Bob Gallagher, a history teacher at Marshfield High School in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons