East Chop Light is one of five lighthouses that stand on Vineyard shores, a well-loved landmark perched high above Nantucket Sound. The 142-year-old lighthouse sit on Telegraph Hill, so-named because a telegraph station once stood on the spot where the lighthouse is now. In 1869 the first lighthouse was built there to guide sailors arriving at present-day Vineyard Haven. That structure burned down in 1871 and was later rebuilt

The current cast-iron lighthouse was built in 1876, after the governorment purchased the property. The lighthouse guided whaling ships to safety as they traveled Nantucket and Vineyard sounds. Today the green light greets mariners from the high bluff, though the lighthouse appearance has changed. It was long painted light brown, and known to many as the chocolate lighthouse. In 1988 it was painted white, just like the lighthouses at Cape Pogue, Edgartown harbor, and West Chop.