LIGHTHOUSES OF MAINE
A School Report by Mark Fleming
Grade 5 - Palermo Consolidated School

According to Webster's New Twentieth Century Unabridged Dictionary, lighthouse is defined as " … a tower or other lofty structure with a powerful light at the top, erected at some place important or dangerous to navigation to serve as a guide or warning to ships at night."

There is no other symbol along the "rocky coast" more stirring than the peaceful and sometimes lonely lighthouse. From the southernmost lighthouse located just offshore from Kittery, to the northernmost lighthouse located in Calais, each of Maine's 63 lighthouses has a special story to tell, a special look, a special glow to it.

No matter how far we move into the age of technology, even with all the new gadgets like radar and sonar, that stranded ship will still see the illuminated lens of a lone lighthouse standing high and proud above the unforgiving sea.

Lighthouses have evolved from primitive bonfires atop oceanside hills or a kettle of burning tar atop a pole to beacons of beveled glass gracing handsome granite towers. That transition has taken over 200 years. It was initiated along the New England coast because of an increasing number of shipwrecks resulting from the growing shipping industry in the United States. As shipping increased, the number of lighthouses grew proportionately.

Unfortunately, the management and quality of early lighthouses suffered as a result of this rapid growth. In 1852, the United States Congress created the Lighthouse Board. The purpose of the Lighthouse Board was to inspect and upgrade every lighthouse in the country.

In 1910, the Lighthouse Board was replaced by the Bureau of Lighthouses. It was under the jurisdiction of this Bureau of Lighthouses that the United States Lighthouse Service became the largest organization of its kind in the world.

The last change in command came in 1939, when the United States Coast Guard absorbed the Lighthouse Service. It was at this time that a valuable tradeoff occurred; from civilian lighthouse keepers and their families keeping lonely vigils at remote outposts to automated lighthouses and beacons that are completely reliable. Goat Island Light, located near the entrance to Cape Porpoise Harbor, was the last manned lighthouse. It was automated in 1990, thus signaling the end of a way of life.

As a recognizable aid to navigation, no two beacons in a given area have the same characteristics, so that the interval of flash or the color of the light (white, red or green), which are indicated on navigational charts, are different at neighboring lighthouses.

Before lighthouses were electrified, they were flashed by a weight actuated lens drive, a cuckoo clock-like mechanism that rotated panels in front of the light at fixed intervals. Electrified lights also blink at fixed intervals and today are called either flashing or occulting. In flashing lights, the period of light is always less than the period of darkness. In occulting lights, it is just the opposite, the period of light is always longer than the period of darkness.

Lighthouse technology improved greatly after 1822, when French scientist, Augustin Fresnel perfected prisms, refracting lenses and a powerful magnifying glass to concentrate the beacon. The flame from a single oil burner that was intensified by a Fresnel lens could be seen for miles.

So it is that lighthouses can be at once peaceful, lonely, beautiful, forlorn, silent sentinels of the sea, signaling both welcome and warning. They are found on some of the most commanding locations along the "rocky coast" that the great state of Maine has to offer.

Often subjected to harsh, punishing and fearsome conditions, lighthouses also enjoy locations of breathtaking beauty and perfect serenity. From isolated offshore islands many miles out to sea which face severe storms head on, to picturesque seaside cliffs; lighthouses represent stability and certainty; protection and safety, a constant point of reference and assurance in the face of change.

Although the technical function of the lighthouse may no longer be needed for navigation, it is the intangible elements of the lighthouse, the stuff that dreams are made of, which can never be replaced.

The following pages describe each of the lighthouses along the coast of Maine, from the southernmost to the northernmost. These descriptions are designed to fit a format. Generally, the format first gives the name of each lighthouse, when it was built, where it is located, an interesting fact(s), its height above sea level and finally how many miles out to sea it can be seen.

WHALEBACK LIGHT

Whaleback Light, built and replaced in 1831, lasted almost 40 years despite faulty construction and severe storms. Located at the northeast entrance to Portsmouth Harbor, it can be seen for 24 nautical miles and stands 59 feet above sea level.

This light is in Maine waters although it guards the entrance to New Hampshire's harbor.

BOON ISLAND LIGHT

Boon Island Light, established in 1800, is the tallest lighthouse on the coast of Maine, at 133 feet. Located on a small, rocky and barren island about six miles offshore from Cape Neddick, Maine, this lighthouse is one of Maine's most isolated lights.

The name "Boon" refers to packages of food and clothing left on the island by mainland fishermen for use by any shipwrecked victim(s) able to get onto the rocks.

Boon Island Light has a white light that flashes every five seconds. It stands 137 feet above sea level and can be seen for 19 nautical miles.

CAPE NEDDICK (NUBBLE) LIGHT

Cape Neddick Light, more popularly known as Nubble Light, was built in July 1879. Located in York, Maine, it stands 88 feet above sea level and can be seen for 13 nautical miles.

Unique to this light are the tiny decorative sculptures of lighthouses on its cast iron railing.

GOAT ISLAND LIGHT

Goat Island Light, built in 1833, is located at the southeast end of Goat Island, offshore from Kennebunkport, Maine. It stands 38 feet above sea level and can be seen for 12 nautical miles.

Notable for being Maine's last manned lighthouse; this light wasn't automated until 1990. This lighthouse was also a guard station for the summer home of former president, George Bush.

WOOD ISLAND LIGHT

Wood Island Light, built in 1808, is located just offshore from Biddeford Pool, Maine. It can be seen for 12 nautical miles and stands 38 feet above sea level.

Legend says this island is haunted by the ghost of a murder victim.

CAPE ELIZABETH LIGHT

Cape Elizabeth Light (Two Lights), built in 1828, is located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

The west light was extinguished in 1924 when the government ordered that all coastal lights be reduced to single lights.

The active, functioning east light is the most powerful on the New England coast at four million candle power.

Cape Elizabeth Light has a white light that flashes for four seconds every fifteen seconds and can be seen for 27 nautical miles. It stands 129 feet above sea level.

PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT

Portland Head Light, the patriarch of Maine's lighthouses, built under the order of George Washington in 1791, is the oldest lighthouse in the state. Washington himself appointed the first lighthouse keeper, Captain Joseph Greenleaf. It is located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Due to its history, beauty and location, Portland Head Light is possibly the most visited, photographed and painted lighthouse in the United States!

Portland Head Light has a white light that flashes every four seconds and can be seen for 24 nautical miles. It stands 101 feet above sea level.

SPRING POINT LEDGE

Spring Point Ledge Light, built in 1855, is located in Portland, Maine. At 54 feet above sea level, it can be seen for 9 nautical miles when shining red and 12 nautical miles when shining white.

In 1951, a 900-foot breakwater was constructed from the mainland to the light tower.

PORTLAND BREAKWATER (BUG) LIGHT

Portland Breakwater (Bug) Light, built in 1855, is located in South Portland, Maine. Its unusual design, small with Corinthian columns, was built to resemble a fourth century Greek monument.

Portland Breakwater is not an active lighthouse. To accommodate World War II shipbuilding, land was filled in from shore to the lighthouse; eliminating the breakwater and making the light obsolete. The light was extinguished in 1942.

RAM ISLAND LEDGE LIGHT

Ram Island Ledge Light, built in 1905, is located offshore from Portland, Maine. At 77 feet above sea level, it can be seen for 12 nautical miles.

At high tide, the ledge that Ram Island Ledge Light sits on is completely submerged.

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HALFWAY ROCK LIGHT

Halfway Rock Light, construction begun in 1870 but bad weather and funding prevented completion until 1871, is located halfway between Cape Elizabeth and Cape Small, Maine.

This barren three-acre ledge is located about 11 miles northeast of Portland, Maine, in a busy shipping lane. Standing 77 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 19 nautical miles.

DOUBLING POINT LIGHT

Doubling Point Light, built in 1898, is located in Bath, Maine.

Standing 23 feet above sea level, it can be seen for 9 nautical miles.

Ships from the Atlantic Ocean are guided into the shipbuilding town of Bath, Maine by this lighthouse.

KENNEBEC RIVER RANGE LIGHTS

Kennebec River Range Lights, built in 1908, is located in Bath, Maine.

These lights, consisting of two wooden towers, with the rear tower 235 feet behind the front tower located on shore, are the only range lights in Maine. Straight alignment of the lights indicates to vessels the middle of the river channel on the approach to Fiddler Reach, a sharp double bend in the river just beyond at Doubling Point.

The front light tower stands 18 feet above sea level and the rear light tower stands 33 feet above sea level.

SQUIRREL POINT LIGHT

Squirrel Point Light, built in 1898, is located on the southeast point of Arrowsic Island, Maine.

The lighthouse was automated in 1982.

This lighthouse stands 23 feet above sea level.

PERKINS ISLAND LIGHT

Perkins Island Light, built in 1898, is located on the eastern side of the Kennebec River. The station and property were transferred to the town of Georgetown, Maine, in 1973.

Little has been done to improve the buildings and the lighthouse is on the "endangered list" as the property and light are not maintained.

Standing 41 feet above sea level, the lighthouse can be seen for 5 nautical miles when shining red and for 6 nautical miles when shining white.

POND ISLAND LIGHT

Pond Island Light, built in 1821, is located on the east side of the Kennebec River. The island is 900 yards from Popham Beach, Maine.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service now manages the 10-acre island as a migratory bird refuge.

Standing 52 feet above sea level, Pond Island Light can be seen for 9 nautical miles.

SEGUIN ISLAND LIGHT

Seguin Island Light, Maine's second oldest lighthouse, was built in 1795, to mark the mouth of the heavily traveled Kennebec River by order of President George Washington. It is located 2.3 miles offshore from Popham Beach, Maine. The light was automated in 1985.

Standing at 186 feet, this lighthouse is the highest above sea level on the Maine coast. It can be seen for a distance of 18 nautical miles.

The present 53-foot granite light tower was necessary to accommodate the installation of Maine's only first-order Fresnel lens.

HENDRICK'S HEAD LIGHT

Hendrick's Head Light, built in 1829, is located on Southport Island, Maine, at the mouth of the Sheepscot River.

Standing at 43 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 7 nautical miles when shining red and for 9 nautical miles when shining white.

Two stories are associated with Hendrick's Head Light, one of an unusual rescue and another of an unidentified ghost.

Following a storm and shipwreck, a bundle washed ashore and was retrieved by the lightkeeper. The small package turned out to be an infant wrapped in a box between two feather mattresses for protection. The baby girl survived the ordeal and was adopted by the lightkeeper and his wife when no other survivors were found.

Additionally, the ghost of a young woman who committed suicide has been seen walking the deserted beach in winter months haunting the site where she committed suicide.

THE CUCKOLDS LIGHT

The Cuckolds Light, originally built in 1892, with a light tower added in 1907, is located less than a mile off Southport Island, Maine. The light was automated in 1975.

Standing 59 feet above sea level, the light can be seen for 12 nautical miles.

BURNT ISLAND LIGHT

Burnt Island Light, built in 1821 and altered in 1888, is located on the west side of the entrance to Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

This lighthouse provided guidance for passage into Boothbay Harbor.

Standing 61 feet above sea level, the light can be seen for 12 nautical miles when shining red and for 15 nautical miles when shining white.

RAM ISLAND LIGHT

Ram Island Light, built in 1833, is located on Ram Island, off Ocean Point, on the eastern side of Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

After it was automated in 1965, the station fell into disrepair; the long walkway originally bridging the lighthouse tower to the island rotted away. In 1977, the Coast Guard rebuilt the lighthouse and removed the remains of the tower-to-shore walkway.

Standing 36 feet above sea level, the light can be seen for 9 nautical miles when shining red and for 11 nautical miles when shining white.

PEMAQUID POINT LIGHT

Pemaquid Point Light, commissioned in 1827 by John Quincy Adams, was rebuilt in 1857 due to faulty constuction. The lighthouse is located in Pemaquid Point, Maine, at the entrance to Muscongus Bay. The light was automated in 1934.

Standing 79 feet above sea level, the light can be seen for 14 nautical miles.

FRANKLIN ISLAND LIGHT

Franklin Island Light, built in 1855, is located 5 miles offshore from the village of Friendship, Maine, on the northeast side of Franklin Island in Muscongus Bay.

The light was automated in 1967.

Standing 57 feet above sea level, it can be seen for 8 nautical miles.

MONHEGAN ISLAND LIGHT

Monhegan Island Light, established in 1824, is located 9 miles offshore from Rockland, Maine. It is the first point sighted on most trans-Atlantic voyages and is a well-known landmark for seafarers.

The island reportedly has more than 600 varieties of wild flowers and more than 200 bird species logged.

Monhegan Island Light has a white light that flashes every thirty seconds and can be seen for 21 nautical miles. It stands 178 feet above sea level.

MARSHALL POINT LIGHT

Marshall Point Light, built in 1832 and rebuilt in 1857, is located on the eastern side of the south entrance to Port Clyde Harbor and is maintained by the Town of St. George, Maine.

The brick and granite lighthouse is connected to the shore by a wooden walkway.

The light was automated in 1980.

Standing 30 feet above sea level, it can be seen for 13 nautical miles.

TENANTS HARBOR LIGHT

Tenants Harbor Light, now known as "Jamie Wyeth's place", was built in 1857. It is located at the east end of Southern Island at the harbor's entrance and is just offshore from Tenants Harbor, Maine.

The light was discontinued in 1933 when it was sold to Andrew Wyeth. His son, Jamie, now owns the buildings and the property which are beautifully maintained.

The light has been inactive since 1933.

WHITEHEAD LIGHT

Whitehead Light, built in 1807 by order of President Thomas Jefferson, was rebuilt in 1852. It is located on a small island near Tenants Harbor, Maine, and marks the entrance to the Muscle Ridge Channel.

The light was automated in 1982.

Standing 75 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 10 nautical miles.

OWL'S HEAD LIGHT

Owl's Head Light, built in 1825, is located on a promontory south of Rockland Harbor, Penobscot Bay, in Owl's Head, Maine.

Despite the fact that the short, stubby lighthouse is only 20 feet, it stands 100 feet above sea level. Owl's Head Light can be seen for 16 nautical miles.

ROCKLAND BREAKWATER LIGHT

Rockland Breakwater Light was built in 1888; however the present light was rebuilt in 1902 with major renovations completed in 1990. It is located at the end of a 0.8 mile-long stone jetty completed in 1889.

The light was automated in 1964.

Standing 39 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 17 nautical miles.

MATINICUS ROCK LIGHT

Matinicus Rock Light, originally twin towers, built in 1827, was rebuilt in 1848, and again in 1857 and is located on an isolated, barren 30-acre rock about five miles southeast of Matinicus Island, 25 miles from Rockland, Maine.

The lighthouse, located on the south side of the rock, is probably the most isolated station along the Maine coast, halfway between Monhegan Island and Mount Desert Island and 22 miles south of the entrance to Penobscot Bay. Matinicus Rock experiences some of the most violent Atlantic weather, is fogbound 20% of the year and is constantly battered by waves.

The best known story of heroism about Matinicus Rock is of 17-year-old Abbie Burgess, the lightkeeper's daughter. She rescued her family from certain death in January of 1856, when she took her family into the base of the lighthouse for safety as a winter storm swept away the keeper's house. The storm kept her father away for a month and during that time Abbie cared for her family and tended the lighthouse.

Standing 90 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 20 nautical miles.

TWO BUSH ISLAND LIGHT

Two Bush Island Light, built in 1897, is located just outside the west side of Penobscot Bay, almost directly south of Owl's Head Light. It marks the north end of Two Bush Channel and the east side entrance to Muscle Ridge Channel, a principle sea lane to west Penobscot Bay.

The light was automated in 1963.

Standing 65 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 18 nautical miles when shining red and for 22 nautical miles when shining white.

INDIAN ISLAND LIGHT

Indian Island Light, built in 1851, began operation in 1875. It is located at the eastern end of Rockport Harbor, offshore from Beauchamp Point, Maine.

This light has been privately owned since 1933.

Indian Island Light is an inactive lighthouse.

HERON NECK LIGHT

Heron Neck Light, built in 1854, is located on the southern tip of Green Island, just southwest of Carver's Harbor on Vinalhaven. It marks the east entrance to Hurricane Sound.

Standing 92 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 10 nautical miles when shining red and 13 nautical miles when shining white.

BROWNS HEAD LIGHT

Browns Head Light, originally built in 1832, was rebuilt in 1857. It is located on the northwest point of Vinalhaven Island and marks the eastern end of the Fox Island Thorofare.

This light was automated in 1987.

Standing 39 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 11 nautical miles when shining red and for 14 nautical miles when shining white.

CURTIS ISLAND LIGHT

Curtis Island Light, built in 1836, is located on the south side entrance to Camden Harbor, offshore from Camden, Maine.

This light was automated in 1972.

Standing 52 feet above sea level, the light can be seen for 6 nautical miles.

GOOSE ROCKS LIGHT

Goose Rocks Light, built in 1890, is located on a ledge in the middle of the Fox Island Thorofare marking the eastern entrance, between Vinalhaven and North haven Islands.

This light was automated in 1963 and is solar powered.

Standing 51 feet above sea level, the light can be seen for 11 nautical miles when shining red and for 12 nautical miles when shining white.

GRINDLE POINT LIGHT

Grindle Point Light, built in 1851, is located on Islesboro Island on the north side of the entrance to Gilkey Harbor. Rebuilt in 1874 after succumbing to the elements, the light was deactivated and sold to the Village of Isleboro in 1934.

In 1987, the light was recommissioned and converted to solar power.

Standing 39 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 6 nautical miles.

FORT POINT LIGHT

Fort Point Light, originally built in 1836 by order of President Andrew Jackson, was rebuilt in 1857. It is located on the west side of the mouth of the Penobscot River in Stockton Springs, Maine.

The light was automated in 1988.

Standing 88 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 15 nautical miles.

DICE HEAD LIGHT

Dice Head Light, originally built in 1829, rebuilt in 1858 and rebuilt again in 1937, is located in the Town of Castine, Maine.

It is no longer an active light. The active light is located in a skeleton tower at the water's edge

EAGLE ISLAND LIGHT

Eagle Island Light, built in 1839, rebuilt in 1858, is located on Eagle Island in Penobscot Bay, between Deer Isle and North Haven.

This light was automated in 1959.

Standing 106 feet above sea level, the light can be seen for 9 nautical miles.

PUMPKIN ISLAND LIGHT

Pumpkin Island Light, built in 1854, is located at the northern end of Eggemoggin Reach, just off Little Deer Island, Maine.

Automated in 1930, the light is no longer operational and has been privately owned since 1934.

BLUE HILL BAY LIGHT

Blue Hill Bay Light, built in 1856, is located on Green Island in Blue Hill Bay.

This lighthouse is no longer operational and the active light operates from a skeleton tower at the south end of the property.

DEER ISLAND THOROFARE (MARK ISLAND LIGHT)

Deer Island Thorofare (Mark Island Light), built in 1857, is located on the west end of Mark Island in Penobscot Bay, and guards the western approach to the Deer Island Thorofare.

Standing 52 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 8 nautical miles.

ISLE AU HAUT LIGHT

Isle au Haut Light, built in 1907, is located in Stonington, Maine, on Robinson Point overlooking the Isle au Haut Thorofare and Kimball Island.

Called "high island" by Samuel de Champlain in 1604, this island is pat of Acadia National Park.

This light was automated in 1934. Standing 48 feet above sea level, this light can be seen 6 nautical miles when shining red and 8 nautical miles when shining white.

SADDLEBACK LEDGE LIGHT

Saddleback Ledge Light, built in 1839, is located on a small ledge of rock between Isle au Haut and Vinalhaven Island.

This light was automated in the 1960s.

Standing 54 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 11 nautical miles.

BURNT COAT HARBOR LIGHT (HOCKMOCK HEAD)

Burnt Coat Harbor Light (Hockmock Head), built in 1872, is located on the southwest tip of Swans Island.

Originally a set of two range lights, the smaller front light was removed in 1885 after complaints about the lights causing confusion on approaching the harbor.

Standing 75 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 9 nautical miles.

BASS HARBOR HEAD LIGHT

Bass Harbor Head Light, built in 1858, is located on the southwest point of Mount Desert Island, marking the entrance of Blue Hill Bay and Bass Harbor.

Because the harbor provided shelter from easterly gales, the light was built as a guide to ships seeking shelter.

Standing 56 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 13 nautical miles.

BEAR ISLAND LIGHT

Bear Island Light, originally built in 1839, rebuilt in 1889, deactivated in 1982 and reactivated in 1989 as a private aid to navigation, is located at the entrance to Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine.

The property was incorporated into Acadia National Park in 1987.

This lighthouse stands 100 feet above sea level.

BAKER ISLAND LIGHT

Baker Island Light, originally built in 1828 under order of President John Quincy Adams, rebuilt in 1855,

is located at the southwest entrance to Frenchman Bay on a 123-acre wooded island that is now past of Acadia National Park.

The light was automated in 1966. It is now solar powered.

Standing 105 feet above sea level, the light can be seen for 10 nautical miles.

MOUNT DESERT ROCK LIGHT

Mount Desert Light Rock, built in 1830, whose tower was replaced in 1847, is located on the tiny island some 25 nautical miles south of Mount Desert Island.

The light was automated in 1977 and is solar powered.

Standing 75 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 18 nautical miles.

GREAT DUCK ISLAND LIGHT

Great Duck Island Light, built in 1890, is located about six miles southeast of Bass Harbor, Mount Desert Island, Maine.

This light was automated in 1986.

The lighthouse was intended to direct ships into Bass Harbor or Southwest Harbor, both offering safe refuges in storms. A small burial ground behind the lighthouse marks the grave of two shipwrecked mariners found frozen to death in each other's arms.

Standing 67 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 19 nautical miles.

EGG ROCK LIGHT

Egg Rock Light, built in 1875, is located on a small exposed island marking the entrance to upper Frenchman Bay. It is 1.7 miles offshore from Mount Desert Island, Maine. This lighthouse has the distinction of being the most homely on the Maine coast.

Egg Rock Light has a red light that flashes every five seconds and can be seen for 14 nautical miles. It stands 64 feet above sea level.

PROSPECT HARBOR LIGHT

Prospect Harbor Light, built in 1850, rebuilt in 1891, is located on the east side of the inner harbor, in Prospect Harbor, Maine.

The light was deactivated in 1859 but was reactivated in 1870.

This lighthouse was automated in 1934.

Standing 42 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 7 nautical miles when shining read and for 9 nautical miles when shining white.

WINTER HARBOR LIGHT (MARK ISLAND)

Winter Harbor Light (Mark Island), built in 1856, is located on Mark Island, across Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor, Maine.

Privately owned since 1934, the lighthouse in no longer functioning. It can be seen from the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park.

NARRAGUAGUS (POND) ISLAND LIGHT

Narraguagus or Pond Island Light, built in 1853, is located southeast of Milbridge, Maine on a rock ledge on the seaside of Pond Island in Narraguagus Bay.

This lighthouse was deactivated in 1934.

PETIT MANAN LIGHT

Petit Manan Light, originally built in 1817, rebuilt of granite in 1855, is the second tallest lighthouse in Maine. It stands 119 feet high. It is located on the east point of Petit Manan Island, 2.5 miles off Petit Manan Point in South Milbridge, Maine.

This light was automated in 1972.

The station has a fog signal to warn of a nearby reef. It is in one of the foggiest locations along the East Coast.

Standing 123 above sea level, this light can be seen for 26 nautical miles.

NASH ISLAND LIGHT

Nash Island Light, originally built in 1838, rebuilt in 1872, is located on the east side entrance to Pleasant Bay near South Addison, Maine.

Although automated in 1958, it was later discontinued and replaced by a lighted buoy in 1981.

MOOSE PEAK LIGHT

Moose Peak Light, originally built in 1827, rebuilt in 1887, is located on the east side of Mistake Island, to the east of Great Wass Island, south of Jonesport, Maine.

Standing 72 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 26 nautical miles.

LIBBY ISLAND LIGHT

Libby Island Light, originally built in 1817, rebuilt in 1824, is located on the southern tip of Libby Island marking the southern entrance to Machias Bay.

This lighthouse is the easternmost offshore lighthouse in the United States.

Standing 91 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 25 nautical miles.

LITTLE RIVER LIGHT

Little River Light, originally built in 1847, rebuilt in 1876, is located at the mouth of Little River at the entrance to Cutler Harbor. It marked the entrance to the harbor and acted as an intermediate mark between West Quoddy Head to the north and Machias Seal Island to the southeast.

This light is now inactive.

WEST QUODDY LIGHT

West Quoddy Light, established in 1807 under the orders of Thomas Jefferson, is located in Whiting, Maine, on the easternmost point in the continental United States. The red-and-white-striped tower marks the southwest entrance to Quoddy Channel and overlooks the Bay of Fundy.

The "west" in West Quoddy Light refers to its location, west of East Quoddy Light in nearby New Brunswick, Canada.

West Quoddy Head has a flashing white light can be seen for 18 nautical miles. The lighthouse stands 83 feet above sea level.

LUBEC CHANNEL LIGHT

Lubec Channel Light, built in 1890, is located on the west side of the Lubec Channel, Lubec, Maine. It is often referred to as the "Spark Plug".

In 1989, the residents of Lubec, Maine and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission enabled this light to be restored at a cost of $700,000. Rather than abandoning the tower and moving it to a shore location.

Standing 53 feet above sea level, this light can be seen for 6 nautical miles.

WHITLOCK'S MILL LIGHT

Whitlock's Mill Light, established in 1892, is located on the south bank of the Saint Croix River at Calais, Maine and is the northernmost lighthouse in the state. It was automated in 1968.

Whitlock's Mill Light has a green light that flashes every six seconds. It can be seen for five nautical miles and stands 32 feet above sea level.