When it was built in 1873, it was located at Bayley's Wharf, and provided, in combination with the Rear Range Light, a critical aid for navigating into Newburyport's harbor.

In 1964 the light was moved to its present location on the grounds of the Merrimack River Coast Guard Station.

The beacons consist of two lights that are separated in distance and elevation, so that when they are aligned, with one above the other, they provide a bearing.

By 1872 Congress had appropriated funds to establish publicly maintained range lights after one of the previous pair was destroyed in a storm.

[3] Newburyport's front range light is a circular structure, with a steel plate exterior, that is 35 feet (11 m) tall.