Perched on a small island in Gloucester Harbor, Ten Pound Island Light has guided mariners since 1881. This picturesque 30-foot conical cast-iron tower replaced an earlier 1821 wooden structure and remains an active aid to navigation today.

The lighthouse gained fame through Winslow Homer’s paintings during his 1880 summer residency on the island. While visitors cannot access the island or climb the tower, the lighthouse photographs beautifully from Gloucester’s waterfront, especially at golden hour when warm light illuminates its white tower against the harbor backdrop.

Best photography: Early morning or sunset from Stage Fort Park or during harbor boat tours.

Nearby attractions: Cape Ann Museum, Rocky Neck Art Colony, Good Harbor Beach, and Gloucester’s historic fishing wharves.

Explore Nearby

• Halibut Point State Park — State Park in Massachusetts
• Sandy Point State Reservation — State Park in Massachusetts
• Meteor Lakes Byway — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Old Kings Highway (Route 6A) — Scenic Byway in Massachusetts
• Swamp Meadow Bridge — Covered Bridge in South Carolina