The Mayo Beach Lighthouse: A Cape Cod Icon sent to California
Cape Cod is home to some of the most iconic and historically rich lighthouses in New England, each with its own story to tell. Among them, the Mayo Beach Lighthouse in Wellfleet stands out—not only for its maritime history but also for its unusual fate. Unlike many of Cape Cod’s lighthouses, which either fell to ruin or were restored in place, Mayo Beach Light took an extraordinary journey. Deactivated in 1922, the cast iron tower was moved—across the entire country—to California, where it still stands today as the Point Montara Lighthouse. How did a lighthouse built to guide mariners into Wellfleet Harbor end up on the West Coast? Let’s take a deep dive into the history of this fascinating light station.
A Beacon for Wellfleet’s Growing Maritime Industry
By the early 19th century, Wellfleet was a bustling center of maritime activity. With a growing fleet of over 100 vessels, local fishermen and merchants needed a reliable beacon to help them navigate the sometimes-treacherous waters leading into Wellfleet Harbor. In response, the federal government approved the construction of a lighthouse on Mayo Beach, situated at the eastern end of the harbor.
Completed between 1837 and 1838, the original Mayo Beach Lighthouse was an integral tower built directly into a brick keeper’s house. Joseph Holbrook, the first lighthouse keeper, lit the lamps in 1838. The light stood 21 feet above mean high water and used ten oil lamps with 13-inch parabolic reflectors to cast a fixed white light. However, four of the lamps were found to be shining over land rather than the water and were soon removed.
Despite its intended purpose, the lighthouse did not prevent shipwrecks in the area. Within its first four years of operation, at least three ships met their fate nearby, including the 270-ton brig Diligence. Meanwhile, the conditions at the lighthouse itself were less than ideal. Keeper Holbrook complained that the house was poorly built, constantly leaking, and subject to flooding due to its low placement near the water. He even attributed the deaths of two of his children to the unhealthy living conditions.
Upgrades, Repairs, and a New Tower
Over the years, various improvements were made to the lighthouse. In 1857, a Fresnel lens was installed, dramatically increasing the range and intensity of the light. Minor repairs followed in 1868, but the lighthouse’s design flaws persisted. By 1878, the Lighthouse Board officially recommended that the structure be replaced.
In 1881, a brand-new lighthouse was constructed on the site. This time, it featured a separate 30-foot cast iron tower lined with brick, built next to a new keeper’s house. The old integral tower was demolished, as it had been deemed an obstruction to the light. The new lighthouse, sturdier and more effective, remained in operation until the station was discontinued in 1922.
One notable figure in the lighthouse’s history was Sarah Atwood, who became one of the region’s early female lighthouse keepers. After her husband, William Atwood, died in 1876, Sarah took over his duties and continued to operate the lighthouse for 15 years. Managing a lighthouse was no small feat, and her service highlights the significant role women played in maritime history.
From Cape Cod to California
For many years, it was believed that the Mayo Beach Lighthouse was dismantled and destroyed after its deactivation in 1922. However, in 2008, a surprising discovery changed that narrative. Researcher Colleen MacNeney found letters in the National Archives proving that the lighthouse had not been scrapped—instead, it had been transported across the country to the West Coast.
After its removal from Wellfleet, the lighthouse was first shipped to Yerba Buena Island in California in 1925. Three years later, in 1928, the tower was reassembled at the Point Montara Light Station, located just south of San Francisco. There, it replaced an earlier wooden tower that had been guiding ships along the rugged coastline since 1912. Today, the Mayo Beach Lighthouse—now known as the Point Montara Light—continues to serve as an active aid to navigation, making it one of the few lighthouses in the United States to have served on both coasts.
Wellfleet’s Lighthouse Legacy
Though Mayo Beach Light itself is no longer in Wellfleet, its story remains an important part of the town’s maritime history. Visitors to Mayo Beach can still see the site where the lighthouse once stood. The keeper’s house remains intact on Kendrick Avenue, and the picturesque 1907 oil house, once used to store fuel for the lighthouse, still stands nearby.
Wellfleet itself has maintained its seafaring heritage. Though its days as a major whaling port ended with the American Revolution, the town remains famous for its world-renowned oysters, a thriving fishing industry, and a strong connection to the sea. Today, much of Wellfleet is preserved within the Cape Cod National Seashore, offering a glimpse of the quieter, more traditional side of Cape Cod.
Visit the Mayo Beach Lighthouse (Sort Of!)
If you find yourself in California, you can actually visit the former Mayo Beach Lighthouse in its new home. The Point Montara Light Station is now part of a hostel operated by Hostelling International, offering visitors an opportunity to stay overnight in a historic lighthouse setting. The lighthouse itself remains active, guiding ships along the Pacific Coast much as it once did in Cape Cod Bay.
A Journey Unlike Any Other
The Mayo Beach Lighthouse’s journey from Wellfleet to California is one of the most unusual stories in American lighthouse history. From its early days lighting the way for Cape Cod’s fishing fleet to its continued service on the West Coast, this resilient beacon has truly stood the test of time. Whether you’re exploring Wellfleet’s shores or visiting the dramatic cliffs of Point Montara, the story of this lighthouse serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of maritime history.
If you love Cape Cod’s lighthouses and history, be sure to explore my website for more stories about the region’s coastal past. And if you ever make it to Point Montara, take a moment to appreciate the little lighthouse that once called Wellfleet home.