Bass River Light was among the last of 30 lighthouses erected beginning in 1797 on Cape Cod and the islands. Built in 1855 atop a large keeper's house, it had a range of 12 miles and flashed a white light every 6 seconds. The lighthouse replaced a lantern hung in the attic window of a private residence. It provided safe passage for an active fishing and packet fleet for 60 years.
The light was shut down in 1880, re-activated in 1881 and continued until 1914. Acquired as a private residence, the keeper's house was expanded in 1933 and later as the Lighthouse Inn.