Hospital pt

The History of Hospital Point, Beverly MA

By Will15

  • A Watch House is built at the Point.

  • An Earthwork Fort near the point sees action during the Hannah vs. Nautilus Encounter.

  • A Smallpox Hospital is built at the Point.

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    The hospital is used as barracks during the War of 1812.

  • The Smallpox Hospital burns down.

  • A Lighthouse board requests for funds to complete the lighting of Salem Harbor.

    Salem and Beverly were active shipping ports at the time.

  • $30,000 is appropriated by Congress to create a lighthouse at the point.

  • A 45-square foot brick lighthouse and a two-story keeper’s house are both completed at the Point.

    A 45-square foot brick lighthouse and a two-story keeper’s house are both completed at the Point.

  • A temporary light is exhibited at the Point.

  • Period: to

    Joseph Henry Herrick serves as the keeper of the lighthouse.

    He is also known for being a shoemaker and Civil War veteran.

  • The balconies of the lighthouse are removed.

  • Period: to

    The lighthouse becomes known as a place where lovers go.

  • A brick oil house is built at the site.

  • During President William Howard Taft’s first summer stay in Beverly, his son Charley climbs the lighthouse.

    He complains of being sick, and has to be assisted back down.
  • The point officially becomes Hospital Point Range Front Light.

    The point officially becomes Hospital Point Range Front Light.

    A rear range light is installed in the steeple of Beverly’s First Baptist Church. This improvement serves as an added guide for mariners.

  • Arthur Small becomes keeper at the Point.

    He was injured and widowed by a hurricane at another lighthouse one year before.

  • The keeper’s dwelling is altered to provide barracks to 20 men in the first of a series of 3 major additions.

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    During World War II, Small maintains a shore patrol in the area and checks two other lighthouses.

  • A garage is added to the site.

  • The lighthouse becomes automated.

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    The keeper’s house has been home to the Commander of the First Coast Guard District and his/her family.

  • The second of a series of 3 major additions is made to the keeper’s house.

  • The third of a series of 3 major additions is made to the keeper’s house.

  • The Point Today

    The Point Today

    The grounds of the Point are only open to the public during one summer day as part of Beverly Homecoming and during occasional dates allowed for by the Coast Guard. However, the lighthouse can be viewed from cruises and from the Salem Willows.