Report: Buyer Visits Butler Flats Lighthouse

There's more information about the future of the Butler Flats Lighthouse in New Bedford's outer harbor.

Waterfront observer and historian M-L Baron of Fairhaven tells WBSM's Tim Weisberg,, he's been told that the 118-year old lighthouse will be converted into a bed-and-breakfast establishment.

The Federal Government put the lighthouse up for sale last year, and it was reportedly purchased by an unknown buyer for $80,000.  Baron says he's been told the buyer is a Texas businessman who visited the lighthouse last week.

Baron says restoration of the lighthouse will be an expensive proposition. "It could cost as much as $1.3 million, depending on how far he wants to go."  He adds, the restoration will have to be historically correct, matching the paint and other fixtures that were present in the late 19th century when the lighthouse was built.

Baron declined to disclose the name of the buyer, but says he got his information from a reliable source; the man who transported the buyer by boat to the lighthouse.