The Great Point Light Story

After Charles O'Conor passed from the scene, his famous mansion remained for years as one of the most familiar landmarks on the north shore of Nantucket. It was later acquired and occupied for many summers by Ambassador Breckinridge Long and remained in his family until it was demolished in 1962 and replaced by a modern summer home. The great brick building which housed his library was removed, brick by brick, and in accordance with his Will, his great law library was delivered to the New York Law Institute. The man who rose from poverty to devote much of his life to unselfish public service made his final public act by his gift to his adopted home of Nantucket. Today his sole memorial on the Island is his fine portrait by Matthew Brady in the Peter Foulger Museum.

THE SEVERAL COMMENTS received from our members concerning the story of Great Point Light, which appeared in our last (July) issue are very much appreciated. It should be noted that the historic white tower was destroyed by the northeast gale on the 29th of March, 1984, and not on the 28th as stated. The excellent photograph of the length of beach, with the ruins of the tower depicted, was taken by H. Flint Ranney on April 1,1984, rather than on March 29, and becomes one of the scenes which dramatically shows, with two photographs, the end of this Island landmark.