The Nantucket Beacon
Encyclopedia
The Nantucket Beacon was an American
weekly newspaper that was published on Nantucket Island
from 1989 until 1998.
The Beacon quickly became a strong competitor to the Island's previous newspaper, The Inquirer and Mirror
, so after a few years the Mirror's owners, Ottaway Newspaper Co. bought the Beacon. They ran it until it became unprofitable, and ceased publication in August 1998.
destroyed Sankaty Head Light
. Doctored photographs of the lighthouse were also on the front page.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
weekly newspaper that was published on Nantucket Island
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket is an island south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the United States. Together with the small islands of Tuckernuck and Muskeget, it constitutes the town of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and the coterminous Nantucket County, which are consolidated. Part of the town is designated the Nantucket...
from 1989 until 1998.
History
The Beacon's first edition (Issue I, Volume 1) was dated 9 March 1989. Its founder, initial editor and publisher were the same person, Ann C. Olson.The Beacon quickly became a strong competitor to the Island's previous newspaper, The Inquirer and Mirror
The Inquirer and Mirror
The Inquirer and Mirror, also called The I&M, or "The Inky" is the weekly newspaper of record on the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts...
, so after a few years the Mirror's owners, Ottaway Newspaper Co. bought the Beacon. They ran it until it became unprofitable, and ceased publication in August 1998.
Archives
A partial archive (1991 through 1997 issues) of the paper's output is at the Nantucket Historical Association Research Library.Notable issues
The 1 April 1992 issue ran April Fool's Day jokes on the first and last two pages. The front page stated that an earthquakeEarthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
destroyed Sankaty Head Light
Sankaty Head Light
The Sankaty Head Light is a lighthouse located on Nantucket island. It was built in 1850, was automated in 1965, and is still in operation.In 1987, the Sankaty Lighthouse was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the Sankaty Head Light, reference number 87002028.According to the...
. Doctored photographs of the lighthouse were also on the front page.