Maine LightHouses

What is it about our fascination with lighthouses? Is it the folklore, the history, shipwreck stories, ghost stories, the enduring job of the lighthouse keepers….blizzards, hurricanes, and other dangerous elements. Alone in the middle of the ocean or on the ocean's edge these lighthouses stand as sentinels helping ships guide their way through the ocean's passage.

You will notice a lot of these lighthouses are now licensed by the American Lighthouse Foundation. This non profit organization was established to help in the preservation and education of our nations lighthouses. For more information: American Lighthouse Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 565, Rockland, Me. 04841, 207-594-1091, info@lighthousefoundation.org.

Following is a list of most of the lighthouses on the Maine coast. More history and pictures are available on the individual web site addresses:

Baker Island Light
About 123 acres half mile north and south and 4 miles from Mt. Desert Island. Established in 1825 the grounds are open to the public. www.lighthouse.cc/baker/

Bass Harbor Head Light
Bass Harbor light guides boaters into Blue Hill Bay and Bass Harbor. Established in 1858. The grounds are next to Acadia National Park and are open to the public.
www.lighthouse.cc/bassharbor/

Bear Island Light
Near the town of Northeast harbor on Mt Desert Island on one of the group of islands know as Cranberry Isle. Established in 1839. www.lighthouse.cc/bear/

Blue Hill Bay Light
It's location is Green Island in Blue Hill Bay near Brooklin. Established in 1857. This lighthouse is privately owned and not open to the public. www.lighthouse.cc/bluehillbay/

Boon Island
This lighthouse has been hit many times by storms but is one of the most interesting and different looking structures. Located 8 to 9 miles from York's shoreline it stands 133 feet tall and is the tallest in New England. If you haven't read Kenneth Roberts book 'Boon Island' it is worth picking up. Established in 1799. Off limits to the public can be seen by boat. It is now automated.
www.lighthouse.cc/boon/

Browns Head Light
Location-Vinalhaven-in the middle of Penobscot Bay and 13 miles east of Rockland. This lighthouse was one of the last to be automated in 1987. Established 1832.
www.lighthouse.cc/brownshead/

Burnt Coat Harbor Light
On Swans Island the Lighthouse is owned by the town and the grounds are open to the public. Established 1872.
www.lighthouse.cc/burntcoatharbor/

Burnt Island Light
Upon the entrance (the west side) of Boothbay Harbor stands Burnt Island Lighthouse. 3 hour tours are available and a ferry ride to the island. The grounds are open to the public. Established in 1821. www.lighthouse.cc/burntisland/

Cape Elizabeth Light
Near Cape Elizabeth and located in the entrance to Casco Bay stands the Cape Elizabeth Light. The keepers house is privately owned. The lighthouse and grounds are open to the public.
www.lighthouse.cc/capeelizabeth/

Cape Neddick (the Nubble) Light
Marking the entrance to the York River and now owned by the town of York it is one of the most photographed lighthouses. It is not open to the public but you can get some great pics by standing on the waters edge. Sohier's park surrounds the lighthouse. Established in 1879.
www.lighthouse.cc/capeneddick/

Cuckolds Light
Located off of Cape Newagan near Southport. The Cuckolds is said to be one of the last lighthouses build on the coast of Maine. Views are possible from the public landing in Southport otherwise only accessible by boat. Established in 1892.
www.lighthouse.cc/cuckolds/

Curtis Island Light
Marks the entrance to Camden Harbor. Once owned by Saturday Evening Post publisher Cyrus Curtis, now owned by the town of Camden. Public park only accessible by boat. Established 1835.
www.lighthouse.cc/curtis/

Deer Island Thorofare Light
Situated on Mark Island, (Stonington) at one time a very busy thorofare with the booming granite quarries and a strong fishing industry. Not open to the public. Established in 1857.
www.lighthouse.cc./deerislandthorofare/

Dice Head Light
Located in the mouth of the Penobscot River this light guided mariners into the river toward Bangor. It is now owned by the town of Castine. Grounds are open to the public. A path leads around the tower for good viewing. Established 1829
www.lighthouse.cc/dicehead/

Doubling Point Light
Located on Arrowsic Island on the Kennebec River. The light helps guide traffic on the river. Grounds are open to the public. Established in 1899. www.lighthouse.cc/doubling/

Eagle Island Light
On the East Penobscot Bay near Deer Isle. Grounds not open to the public. Established 1838.
www.lighthouse.cc/eagleisland/

Egg Rock Light
On the entrance to Frenchman Bay near Winter Harbor. Can be seen from 3 vantage points, Champlain Mtn. overlook, the Pinecipice, and the scenic overlook. Not open to the public. Established 1875.
www.lighthouse.cc/egg/

Fort Point Light
Fort Point was established in 1836 is located at the west side of the mouth of the Penobscot River and aided vessels en route to Bangor. In the town of Stockton Springs once known as the leading lumber and potato port. www.lighthouse.cc/fortpoint/

Franklin Island Light
Is the third oldest lighthouse in the state of Maine. Located in Muscungus Bay near Friendship. Not open to the public. Established 1805.
www.lighthouse.cc/franklinisland/

Goat Island Light
Goat Island is in Cape Porpoise Harbor and owned by the kennebunkport Conservation Trust. View the lighthouse from the municipal pier at Cape Porpoise. Visitors are welcome if you can get there by boat. Summer Only. www.lighthouse.cc/goat/

Goose Rocks Light
Not to be confused with Goose Rock Beach in Kennebunkport. This lighthouse is located in the Fox Islands thorofare on the Penobscot Bay. This is a busy waterway between Vinalhaven and North Haven. Established in 1890.
www.lighthouse.cc/gooserocks/

Great Duck Island Light
Guided boaters to Blue Hill Bay and Mt. Desert Island area. Great folklore read more about it. The keeper's house is maintained by the College of the Atlantic for ecological research. Not open to the public. Established in 1890. www.lighthouse.cc/greatduckisland/

Grindle Point Light
Helped boaters entering Islesboro, located in Gilkey Harbor . The keeper's house is open to the public in the Summer. Need a ferry to Islesboro check schedules. Established in 1850.
www.lighthouse.cc/grindle/

Halfway Rock Light
Halfway rock is a rocky ledge in the middle of Casco Bay 10 miles east of Portland Head Light. The name implies halfway between Cape Elizabeth and Cape Small in Phippsburg. These ledges claimed many schooners. Established 1871.
www.lighthouse.cc/halfwayrock/

Hendricks Head Light
Established in 1829, located at the mouth on the Sheepscot River near the point of Southport Island also know as cozy harbor. Privately owned. www.lighthouse.cc/hendrickshead/

Heron Neck Light
Near Vinalhaven at the east side of hurricane Sound and stands on Green's Island. This can only be view by boat. Established in 1854. www.lighthouse.cc/heronneck/

Indian Island Light
Can be viewed from Rockport Harbor. This lighthouse is privately owned. Established in 1850.
www.lighthouse.cc/indianisland/

Isle Au Haut Light
The lighthouse was renovated in 1999. The keepers house was operating as bed and breakfast inn however it is now up for sale. Established in 1907. www.lighthouse.cc/isleauhaut/

Libby Island Light
One of the oldest lighthouses in Maine. Marks the entrance to Machias Bay. Can be viewed form Jasper Beach. It is not open to the public. Established in 1822.
www.lighthouse.cc/libbyisland/

Little River Light
On Little River Island located at the harbor's entrance in Cutler. It is the last protected harbor before Canada. Can not be seen from the mainland. It is now with the American Lighthouse Foundation and is now lit after 25 years. Established in 1847.
www.lighthouse.cc/littleriver/

Lubec Channel Light
Renovated in 1993, in Lubec can be viewed from FDR Memorial Bridge over to Campobello Island. Established in 1890.
www.lighthouse.cc/lubecchannel/

Marshall Point Light
Located in Port Clyde Harbor the lighthouse is now owned by the town of St. George and houses the Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum. Lighthouse is not open to the public but the grounds are. Established in 1832, www.light.cc/marshall/

Matinicus Rock Light
Located 5 miles from Matinicus Island in Penobscot Bay, near Matinicus. It is maintained as a bird sanctuary. Established in 1827. www.lighthouse.cc/matinicusrock/

Monhegan Island Light
11 miles off the coast of Maine lies Monhegan Island. A year round ferry is available and it takes about 1 hour. The lighthouse is on the island. There are lots of artist studio's to view and hiking and biking trails. The keeper's house and museum is open to the public. Most things are open in the Summer. There are only a few inns available on the island so check their schedules. Established in 1824.
www.lighthouse.cc/monhegan/

Moose Peak Light
On Mistake Island and located near the town of Jonesboro. The site in now managed by the Nature Conservancy and can be viewed by boat. Established 1827.
www.lighthouse.cc/moosepeak/

Mount Desert Rock Light
One of the most exposed lighthouses 20 miles out to sea and located near Frenchboro. The property is maintained by the College of the Atlantic. It is not open to the public. Established 1830. www.lighthouse.cc/mountdesertrock/

Narraguagus Light
Marks the entrance to Narraguagus Bay and near Millbridge. It is privately owned and not open to the public. Established 1853. www.lighthouse.cc/narraguagus/

Nash Island Light
Located at the mouth of Pleasant Bay and near the town of Addison. It is owned and operated by the Friends of the Nash Island Light. Not open to the public. Established 1838.
www.lighthouse.cc/nashisland/

Owl's Head Light
Mark's the entrance to Rockland Harbor and sits in the Owl's Head Light Park. The grounds are open to the public and there is plenty of parking. In 2007 it was licensed to the American Lighthouse Foundation and efforts are being made to raise money for a complete restoration. Established 1826. www.lighthouse.cc/owls/

Pemaquid Point Light
Situated in the opening of Muscongus Bay and John's Bay and in the town of Bristol. Also licensed to the American Lighthouse Foundation the keeper's house is now a museum and is open to the public. Established 1827. www.lighthouse.cc/pemaquid/

Perkins Island Light
This lighthouse is located on the Kennebec River near the town of Georgetown and was used to guide boaters to the shipyard in Bath. Not open to the public and is licensed to the American Lighthouse Foundation. Established 1898. www.lighthouse.cc/perkins/

Petit Manan Light
Considered one of the foggiest areas on the coast of Maine and located near Corea. Petit Manan was constructed to warn mariners of a sandbar between the island of Petit Manan and Petit Manan Point. Now part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlfe Refuge. Established 1817. www.lighthouse.cc/petitmanan/

Pond Island Light
There is no pond. This lighthouse sits on 10 acres and is south of the mouth of the Kennebec river. It can be viewed from Popham Beach. It is now managed by the US Fish and Wildlife. Established 1821. www.lighthouse.cc/pond/

Portland Breakwater Light
At the end of the breakwater that stretches ½ mile into Portand Harbor this lighthouse is now owned by the City of Portland. The grounds are open to the public, but not the tower. Established in 1855. www.lighthouse.cc/portlandbreakwater/

Portland Head Light
One of the oldest lighthouses it was built to mark the Portland Harbor entrance. Keeper's quarters open to the public and a gift shop is on the grounds. Established in 1791.
www.lighthouse.cc/portlandhead/

Prospect Harbor Point Light
Currently used as a Navy installation base (not open to the public) but the keeper's house is available to active and retired military families. Can be view from the military installation base. Now maintained by the American Lighthouse Foundation. Established 1850.
www.lighthouse.cc/ prospectharbor/

Pumpkin Island Light
Located on Eggemoggin Reach in Penobscot Bay this lighthouse is now privately owned. It can be viewed from the mainland (Little Deer Isle). Established in 1854.
www.lighthouse.cc/pumpkinisland/

Ram Island Head
Stands at the entrance to Boothbay Harbor in Fisherman's Passage. It is now part of the Ram Island Lighthouse Foundation. Established in 1883. www.lighthouse.cc/ramisland/

Ram Island Ledge Light
On a ledge in Casco Bay in Portland Harbor and can be seen from Portland Head Light. Established in 1905.
www.lighthouse.cc/ramislandledge/

Rockland Harbor Breakwater Light
Sits at the end of a 4300 foot long breakwater in Rockland. Visitors can walk to the light. Established on 1902.
www.lighthouse.cc/rocklandbreakwater/

Saddleback Ledge light
Located on Isle Au Haut and marks the hazards between Vinalhaven and Isle Au Haut. It is not open to the public. Established in 1839. www.lighthouse.cc/saddlebackledge/

Seguin Island Light
Seguin Island Light marks the mouth of the Kennebec River. The island is open to private boaters and cruises are available from select towns, such as Popham Beach. It is the highest navigational light on the Maine coast at 186 feet above sea level. Established in 1795. www.lighthouse.cc/seguin/

Spring Point Ledge Light
Marks the entrance to Portland Harbor. The lighthouse is open to visitors for the Summer from June to Labor Day. Call info hotline for schedule 207-699-2676. Established in 1897.
www.lighthouse.cc/springpoint/

Squirrel Point Light
Sits on Arrowsic Island in the Kennebec river. It is not open to the public and can be view from across the Kennebec River in Phippsburg. Established in 1898.
www.lighthouse.cc/squirrelpoint/

Tenants Harbor Light
Is in the entrance to Tenants Harbor . Now owned by famous artist Jamie Wyeth and has appeared in many of the artist works. Established in 1857. www.lighthouse.cc/tenantsharbor/

Two bush Island Light
Established to mark the entrance to Penobscot Bay in 1897. The lighthouse is now maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service. www.lighthouse.cc/twobush/

West Quoddy Head Light
Located in Lubec. One of the most beautiful lighthouses painted with its 15 horizontal red stripes and was once stamp The grounds are open to the public and the keeper's house has a museum. Open Memorial Day to Mid Oct. Established in 1808.
www.lighthouse.cc/westquoddy/

Whaleback Ledge Light
Near the entrance to the Piscataqua river to guide boater to Portsmouth Harbor. This lighthouse is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and they were looking for new owners as the lighthouse is in great need of restoration. Established in 1820.
www.lighthouse.cc/whalebackledge/

Whitehead Island Light
Marks the entrance to Muscle Ridge Channel and is located off the coast from St. George in Penobscot Bay near Tenants Harbor. It is said to be one of the foggiest spots on the coast. Established in 1807. www.lighthouse.cc/whitehead/

Winter Harbor Light
On Mark Island and guides boaters to Winter Harbor. It is now privately owned. Established in 1856.
www.lighthouse.cc/winterharbor/

Wood Island Light
Located on the northeast is of Wood Island Harbor (Biddeford Pool) and marks the entrance to the Saco River. It is accessible by small boat. Established in 1808.
www.lighthouse.cc/woodisland/