David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Chatham Lighthouse, an active Coast Guard station, sits at the elbow of Cape Cod.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Inside the Chatham Lighthouse. It was once fueled by kerosene; the present light was installed in 1994.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

A view of the beach near the Chatham Lighthouse on Cape Cod.

Martha LaGuardia-Kotite

The spiral staircase inside of the Chatham Lighthouse consists of 44 steps.

the boston Globe/File 1929

Twin light towers in a 1929 photo. One of the towers was moved to Easton in 1923 after the advent of rotating lights made twin lights unnecessary.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

The present day exterior of the Chatham Lighthouse.

Richard G. Ryder Collection

A 1952 photo of SS Pendleton survivors in front of the Chatham Lighthouse the day after their rescue. Plans for a movie about the rescue by Walt Disney Pictures are expected to move ahead next year.