In 1797, a station authorized by
George Washington was established at this point on the Cape, with a wood lighthouse to warn ships about the dangerous coastline between
Cape Ann and
Nantucket. It was the first light on Cape Cod. In 1833, the wood structure was replaced by a brick tower and in 1840 a new lantern and lighting apparatus was installed. In 1857 the lighthouse was declared dangerous and demolished, and for a total cost of $17,000, the current 66-foot brick tower was constructed. On June 6, 1900, the light was changed from a fixed beam to flashing, with a new. The new Barbier, Benard & Turenne first-order Fresnel lens had four panels of 0.92 meter focal distance, revolved in mercury, and gave, every five seconds, flashes of about 192,000 candlepower nearly one-half second in duration. While the new lens was being installed, the light from a third-order lens was exhibited atop a temporary tower erected near the lighthouse; it was later sold at auction. The Highland Light was then the most powerful on the east coast of the United States. Two four-horsepower oil engines with compressors operated by an engine fueled by kerosene, were added to ensure that the fog signal could be activated within ten minutes instead of the previous 45. A new fog signal was installed in 1929, an electrically operated air oscillator, to make it audible over a greater distance. The current location of the lighthouse is not the original site. It was in danger of falling down the cliff due to
beach erosion, so the structure was moved to the west. The government funding to do so was supplemented by money raised through fund raising by the Truro Historical Society. The move was accomplished by International Chimney Corp. of Buffalo, New York and Expert House Movers of Maryland over a period of 18 days in July, 1996. during the summer months. ==Highland Light in art==