Accessibility: 
Geographic coordinates: 41° 38' 10" N 70° 17' 19" W
Nearest town: Hyannis (a village of Barnstable). Located in Hyannis Harbor on the south side of Cape Cod.
Established: 1849. Present lighthouse built: 1849. Deactivated: 1929.
Height of tower: 19 feet (to the base of the lantern). Height of focal plane: 43 feet.
Previous optic: Fifth-order Fresnel lens. Present optic: none.
Hyannis grew into a busy fishing and trade port in the 1800s. A local man, Daniel Snow Hallett, provided the first light in the harbor—a simple shack on the beach with a lamp that hung in a window. His son, Daniel Bunker Hallett, assisted Hallett in his lightkeeping duties. Young Daniel would sometimes spend the night in the shack with his dog and then return home for breakfast before going to school.
In 1848, Congress authorized the building of a proper lighthouse at South Hyannis. A conical brick tower was built, and the light went into service on May 7, 1849.
Capt. John A. Peak, part of a family dynasty of local lighthouse keepers, took over as keeper in 1899 and remained until 1915. Peak let local children help with lighthouse chores, such as polishing the brass parts of the tower.
The light was discontinued in 1929. The property was sold at auction; it has since passed through several hands. The present owners, Janice Hyland and Alan Granby, who are antique dealers, completed a full renovation and built a new top for the tower. It’s not a traditional lantern, but it reportedly provides a great view at sunset. For more on Hyland Granby Antiques, visit www.hylandgranby.com online.
The lighthouse is difficult to see from nearby Harbor Road. You can get a better view by walking east from the parking lot at Keyes Beach on Sea Street in Hyannis. For information on the beach, call the Barnstable Recreation Division at 508-790-6345. Captain Marcus Sherman’s outings on the 34-foot catboat Eventide provide a view of the lighthouse. If you let him know of your interest, Captain Sherman might be able to sail closer than usual. Call 508-775-0222 or visit www.catboat.com online.
Fascinating Fact 
Keeper John A. Peak positioned a mirror in his bedroom so he could keep an eye on the light without leaving his bed.
