Horseneck Point Life Saving Station

The HPLSS is an exciting endeavor of the WFA. Phase 1 of the project is now completed, but we still have more funds to raise to complete this historic project. Phase 2 will consist of all efforts to complete the exterior and interior of the Boat House portion of the Life Saving Station.

To make a donation in support of the HPLSS project, please send your tax-deductible contribution to:
WFA, PO Box 83, Westport PT. MA 02791

Special Thanks To: Chip Gillespie, The Community Preservation Commission, and The Department of Parks and Recreation.

About the HPLSS Project

HORSENECK POINT LIFESAVING STATION - RESTORATION UPDATE

The Humane Society of Massachusetts erected its 69th Lifesaving Station at the mouth of the Westport River 1888. In 1894 it was moved to its present location at the end of East Beach near the causeway to Gooseberry Neck. The station was a 16' x34' post-and beam shed to house the 30' lifeboat to be used for rescues. The Society appointed a local experienced mariner as Keeper of the station, and it was his responsibility to recruit a crew of surfmen and maintain the station. Our station was in service for 25 years, being decommissioned in 1913. It first became Ali's Restaurant, with the addition of dormers and a wrap-around porch and served the growing population of East Beach. The 1938 Hurricane destroyed most of the structures on East Beach for good, with the exception of our station and a few houses at the south end of the beach.

After its restaurant use ended in the 1960's, the station and its additions served many uses including bar, ice cream parlor, clam shack, environmental center and summer rental cottage. In 2007, the Westport Fishermen's Association negotiated a lease with the current owners, the State DCR, to restore the deserted station complex to its original appearance, keeping the little triangular building on the corner as a Visitors Center to tell the story of the station.

With the help of a Town CPC funding grant, another matching grant from DCR, and funds raised by the WFA, we have been able to launch Phase 1 of the restoration, the demolition of later additions, stabilization of the two separate structures and some improvements for the Visitors Center. The first phase of restoration is now completed and we are starting to plan for the Phase 2 restoration which entails finishing the boat house. We have acquired a historic surfboat from Mystic Seaport on loan, that once served the Cuttyhunk HSM Station, and there are plans to build a carriage to hold the boat in the station boat room.

Now in the Spring of 2009, we are looking ahead to complete the second phase of the restoration in the coming year. You can be a part of this wonderful restoration of a piece of Westport's maritime history by contributing your knowledge, pictures or documents of any history related to the station and by contributing financially to help fund the final phases.

Please help us by contacting: The WESTPORT FISHERMENS' ASSOCIATION, P.O. Box 83, Westport Point, MA 02791