--- title: How to move a 400 ton Lighthouse on Gayhead Cliff near Cape Cod description: Moving a Lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard away from Gayhead Cliff near Cape Cod image: https://info.capecodbuilder.com/hs-fs/file-3364520563-jpg/images/gayhead_lighthouse-resized-600.jpg --- [![REEF Cape Cod Builders](https://capecodbuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/reef-logo-2022.gif "REEF Cape Cod Builders") ](https://capecodbuilder.com/) - [Real Estate](https://capecodbuilder.com/cape-cod-land-search/) - [Contact](https://capecodbuilder.com/contact/) - [(508) 394-3090](tel:15083943090) Menu # Welcome to the Cape Cod Builder blog # How to move a 400 ton Lighthouse on Gayhead Cliff near Cape Cod Posted by [REEF Cape Cod's Home Builder](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/author/reef-cape-cods-home-builder) on Thu, Jun 11, 2015 ![REEF Cape Cod's Home Builder](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/hubfs/REEFLogo2013_vertical_med.png) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) In 1844 a lighthouse was built on the Gayhead Cliffs of Martha’s Vineyard. For over a century she has helped to keep innumerable vessels away from certain peril, guiding them past Martha’s Vineyard and on to Cape Cod and Buzzard’s Bay, or safely out to sea. Erosion of the cliffs was threatening this great landmark. The end was near, so funds were raised, and the lighthouse saved. So how do you move 400 tons of 171 year-old brick and mortar, standing hundreds of feet in the air, 129 feet back from the edge of a cliff? “Very carefully” you might answer. The actual move is really an amazing success story. It’s estimated that the move, which was just in the nick of time, will keep the lighthouse safe for 150 years or more. Great story. Great photos: [How to move a Lighthouse - Martha's Vineyard on CBS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFnr9RyrWI) ![Gayhead Lighthouse](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/hs-fs/file-3364520563-jpg/images/gayhead_lighthouse-resized-600.jpg) ![gay head cliffs without lighthouse resized 600](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/hs-fs/file-3364520573-jpg/images/gay_head_cliffs_without_lighthouse-resized-600.jpg?width=296&height=196&name=gay_head_cliffs_without_lighthouse-resized-600.jpg) [The full story - a great read.](http://gayheadlight.org/) ![gayhead lighthouse moved drone photo resized 600](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/hs-fs/file-3364520583-jpg/images/gayhead_lighthouse_moved_drone_photo-resized-600.jpg?width=354&height=180&name=gayhead_lighthouse_moved_drone_photo-resized-600.jpg) [How to move a Lighthouse - Martha's Vineyard on CBS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFnr9RyrWI) Tags: [cape cod waterfront homes](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/topic/cape-cod-waterfront-homes), [renovation cape cod](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/topic/renovation-cape-cod), [construction costs on cape cod](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/topic/construction-costs-on-cape-cod), [coastal building](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/topic/coastal-building), [cape cod custom builder](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/topic/cape-cod-custom-builder), [cape cod custom homes](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/topic/cape-cod-custom-homes), [new home on cape cod](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/topic/new-home-on-cape-cod), [Construction Costs](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/topic/construction-costs), [Real Estate Investment](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/topic/real-estate-investment), [cape cod home|cape cod real estate|cape cod home b](https://info.capecodbuilder.com/topic/cape-cod-homecape-cod-real-estatecape-cod-home-b) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search Blog Search Google [Cape Cod Building CostsHow much does it cost per square foot to build on Cape Cod? 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