Matinicus Rock Light

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Matinicus Rock Light
Matinicus Lighthouse, drawn in March 1848
Location:	6 miles south of Matinicus island
Coordinates WGS-84 (GPS)	43.785560° N 68.853610° W
Year first constructed:	1827
Year first lit:	1857 (current tower)
Automated:	1983
Foundation:	Natural emplaced
Construction:	Granite blocks
Tower shape:	Cylindrical twin towers
Markings/Pattern:	Natural
Height:	90 feet
Original lens:	Third order fresnel lens, 1857
Range:	20 nm
Characteristic:	Flashing white 10s. Emergency light of reduced intensity when main light is extinguished. HORN: 1 blast ev 15s (2s bl). Operates continuously.

Matinicus Rock Light, is a lighthouse in Maine, USA.

In 1827 the United States Lighthouse Service erected a pair of wooden light towers and a cobblestone keeper's residence on Matinicus Rock, 18 miles off the coast of Maine. These lights guided sea traffic until 1848 when they were replaced by the granite structure (see picture). In 1857 the Government rebuilt the towers and placed them 180 feet apart to make them more effective. Matinicus Rock Lighthouse is one of eight primary navigation aids off the coast of Maine. Alexander Parris, the architect, who designed the lighthouse, designed many stone buildings in New England including the 1825 Quincy Market in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mainicus Light is famous for the story of Abbie Burgess, who as a young girl maintained the light for several weeks while her father, the lighthouse keeper, was on the mainland. Winter storms prevented his timely return. Her mother was also very sick.

Matinicus Rock is now fully automated. The prior diesel system for providing power have been replaced by solar panels in 2007. Matinicus Rock is known as being the southernmost nesting site for the Atlantic Puffin. The Audubon Society often has observers on island during nesting season.