Post by Joanna on Jul 3, 2014 20:51:43 GMT -5
Sleep in a Haunted Lighthouse
Located at the mouth of the Taunton River, Borden Flats Lighthouse has protected the waters of Mt. Hope Bay and Fall River, Massachusetts, for well over a century. Although Fall River is best-known as the home of Lizzie Borden, during the early days of the industrial revolution, the city was a world leader in textile productions, growing to employ almost 30,000 textile factory workers and became a destination for large steam liners.
Because of a large underwater reef at the entrance to the Taunton River, a lighted day marker was placed atop the obstacle, but quickly proved inadequate. Congress appropriated funds for the construction of a cast iron “spark plug” style lighthouse and on October 1, 1881, the lighthouse was activated with a fixed red light from a 5th order Fresnel Lens. The lens was later upgraded to a 4th Order. The U.S. Lighthouse Establishment (USLHE) kept the lighthouse until the U.S. Coast Guard was created in 1939. At that point, the USLHE was eliminated and the station was staffed by a full-time Coast Guard officer. In an effort to save money, the Borden Flats Light was fully automated and de-staffed in 1963. The Fresnel lens was soon replaced by a 250mm plastic optic with a white flash every 2.5 seconds. Around 1996, the optic was upgraded to the present Vega Rotating Beacon VRB-25, displaying the same flash pattern.
When the Coast Guard deemed the lighthouse surplus, it was offered through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act in hopes a lighthouse or other organization would take over the light. However, when no organization accepted the officer, in August 2010, the Coast Guard put the light up for auction. Nick Korstadt was the high bidder and closed the deal in January 2011.
Today, the light station is undergoing a transformation and after more than a half-century, the Borden Flats Light once again has a caretaker. A long overdue exterior facelift has been completed. The tower is close to the Braga Bridge and the local boating community wanted the tower changed to increase its visibility. Accordingly, the formerly all-white tower now sports a red band and the remainder is painted in a much brighter white, making it highly visible and today, it can be seen all the way from the Mount Hope Bay Bridge.
Is the Lighthouse Haunted? Yes! On numerous occasions, the current owners and visitors have heard what sounds like a little girl giggling and a man whistling in the living quarters and classical music drifting from the lantern room at night. People in the upper rooms have also heard a resounding “thud” on the floor below and what sounds like a group of people entering the tower. The New England Ghost Project and Southern New England Paranormal group have conducted nighttime investigations in the tower and both groups have reported encounters with the spirit of Captain John Paul (above), keeper of the light from 1912-1927. Along with Captain Paul, the spirits of a 10-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl were detected, however, the ghosts seldom make themselves known to overnight guests.
The lighthouse is available for rent as follows:
Monday-Wednesday: $299 per night, plus tax
Thursday-Sunday: $345 per night, plus tax
Holidays: $375 per night, plus tax
In the fall (September and October), the cost is $299 per night any day of the week.
Amenities include:
• Transportation to and from the Light Station
• Kitchen with sink, refrigerator, microwave and fresh drinking water
• Onsite bathroom with eco-friendly toilet and vanity (no shower)
• Outside BBQ
• Flatscreen TV and DVD player
• One queen-size pillow-top mattress
• Peace and quiet!
• Two guests only per night and all guests must be 18 or older. No pets allowed.
Source: Borden Flats Lighthouse.