Little Brewster Island in outer Boston Harbor, MA, has been the site of a lighthouse since 1716, and was the first lighthouse in what now is the United States. The current lighthouse dates from 1783 and is the second oldest working lighthouse in the country. It was automated in 1998 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

During the American Revolution, the original lighthouse was held by British forces and was attacked and torched on two occasions by American forces. As the British forces withdrew in 1776, they blew up the tower and destroyed it. The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1783.