The current lighthouse at Brant Point is the tenth structure at Brant Point Station. The original structure was built in 1746, making Brant Point the second oldest lighthouse after Boston. The light was built due to the importance of Nantucket to the local whaling industry. The original light was maintained by the town itself. The early structures were simply lanterns on platforms, and easily fell victim to the elements. The original light burned in 1758. The second light was destroyed by a storm in 1774. The third structure burned down in 1783. The fourth structure burned down in 1786, and the fifth was destroyed by a storm in 1788.

The sixth light was given over to control by the US Government in 1795, and served until 1825. The seventh, a tower built on top of a keeper's house, served until 1856. This was the first permanent lighthouse at Brant Point. In 1856, a new 47-foot tower was built, housing a fourth-order fresnel lens and a fixed red light. A new keeper's house was attached to the new tower. The eighth tower served until 1900. It still stands today, without the lantern room. By 1900, buildup of sand in front of the eighth lighthouse forced installation of a new red beacon 600 feet nearer to the harbor entrance. Finally, in 1901, the current structure was built. It houses a fifth-order Fresnel lens, and stands a mere 26 feet high - the shortest of the New England lights.

The Nantucket Cliff Range Lights marked the cliffs near Brant Point. The small towers were built in 1838, and were kept by a separate keeper, since the journey from Brant Point to the cliff lights was "one-half mile over heavy beach sand." The lights are no longer standing.