Derby Wharf and Light Station, Salem

Derby Wharf, once owned by the prominent Derby family business, held a special place in Salem's maritime heritage. Stretching nearly half a mile into Salem Harbor, it served as the city's longest wharf during its active years. Along its length, warehouses brimmed with goods from across the globe, showcasing Salem's role as a vital center for trade and commerce.

At the very tip of Derby Wharf, the Derby Wharf Light was erected in 1871 to ensure the safety of vessels navigating the harbor. Its historical significance was duly recognized when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Perched 25 feet above Mean High Water, the lighthouse's red light, visible for four nautical miles, guided countless ships safely to port.

For many years, the Derby Wharf Light housed one of only 17 sixth-order Fresnel lenses in the United States. These intricate lenses, renowned for their precision and effectiveness, enhanced the lighthouse's visibility and allowed mariners to identify it with ease. The light station relied on an oil lamp to shine through this remarkable lens.

In its continuing commitment to both history and safety, Derby Wharf Light has undergone changes over the years. Today, the light is powered by solar energy, a nod to modern technology while preserving its legacy. The light now emits a red flash every six seconds, providing a modern navigational aid to mariners.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salem. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Derby Wharf and Light Station
Sight Location: Salem, USA (See walking tours in Salem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Salem Maritime National Historic Site Tour

Walking Tours in Salem, Massachusetts

Create Your Own Walk in Salem

Creating your own self-guided walk in Salem is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Salem's Historical Homes Walking Tour

There鈥檚 no shortage of historic homes in Salem, considering that it鈥檚 one of the oldest cities in the United States. Even if you鈥檙e not really into history, you can appreciate the architectural style of the times. Some of these historic houses are open to the public as museums while others are privately owned. ***PH***

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

Salem Maritime National Historic Site Tour

The Salem Maritime National Historic Site is a National Historic Site consisting of 12 historic structures, one replica tall-ship, and about 9 acres (36,000 m2) of land along the waterfront of Salem Harbor in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. Salem Maritime is the first National Historic Site established in the United States (March 17, 1938).[1] It interprets the Triangle Trade during the... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles

Salem Introduction Walking Tour

While first-time visitors to Salem won't want to miss the city's plethora of witch-themed attractions 鈥� the Witch House and Salem Witch Trials Memorial are two of the most popular 鈥� there is more to this mysterious city than just witchcraft. Salem boasts everything from spectacular 17th-century architecture to tranquil beaches and world-class art museums. Check out Salem's... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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