In 1838 the United States Government established the Nauset Light to reduce shipwrecks along this dangerous coast. To make the signal easily recognizable, three separate lanterns were set on small brick towers about 150 feet apart. The brick "Three Sisters" were built too close to the eroding cliff, which threatened to undermine them, and in 1892 they were replaced by wooden towers built farther back from the edge. Today's Nauset Light is located just north of here. From 1923 until 1981 it continued the tradition of the retired "Three Sisters" by flashing three times every ten seconds, while the present light flashes an alternating red and white pattern. During the day, lightkeepers kept a "Record of Passing Vessels," and a page from August 1870 documents the heavy traffic off the Cape in those days.