List of lighthouses in Maine

This is a list of all lighthouses in the U.S. state of Maine as identified by the United States Coast Guard.[1] There are fifty-seven active lights in the state, two of which are maintained as private aids; nine are standing but inactive, and three have been destroyed, one of which has been replaced by a skeleton tower. This includes two stations which originally featured twin towers; in both cases both towers survive but only one of each pair is active.

The Portland Head Light, first lit in 1791, is the oldest light in the state and was the first US lighthouse completed after independence from Britain.[2][3] The last lighthouse in the state, the second Whitlocks Mill Light, was first lit in 1910; it is also the most northerly light in the state and therefore on the US Atlantic Coast.[4] The West Quoddy Head Light sits on the easternmost point of the continental United States.[5] The tallest tower is that of Boon Island Light at 137 ft (42 m),[6] though the Seguin Light focal plane, at 180 ft (55 m), is the highest in the state.[2]

Lighthouse preservation in Maine has been facilitated by the Maine Lights Program, which arose in the aftermath of the Rockland-based Island Institute's successful but protracted negotiations to acquire the keeper's house of the Heron Neck Light Station.[7] A program for facilitating transfers was proposed by Peter Ralston of the institute,[8] and legislation was first introduced by George J. Mitchell; a subsequent bill submitted by Olympia Snowe in 1995 met with greater success and was signed into law late in 1996 as part of the coast guard authorization act.[7] Under the program, thirty-six light stations were offered to qualified preservation and historical groups and local governments; applications for transfer were reviewed by a board set up at the state level, headed by Richard I. Rybacki, a retired USCG rear admiral.[7] Four lights were to be transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife; twenty-eight other lights were transferred in the summer of 1998.[7] Prior to this program, some lights in the state had already been sold to individuals following deactivation in the 1930s. The most notable of these is the Tenants Harbor Light, which was purchased by Andrew Wyeth in 1978.[9]

If not otherwise noted, focal height and coordinates are taken from the United States Coast Guard Light List,[10] while location and dates of activation, automation, and deactivation are taken from the United States Coast Guard Historical information site for lighthouses.[1]

Name Location Coordinates Image Focal
Height 		Built[note 1] Automated Deactivated Status
Avery Rock Light Machias Bay, Machias 44°39′14″N 67°20′38″W / 44.654°N 67.344°W / 44.654; -67.344 (Avery Rock Light)[11] 56 ft (17 m)[11] 1875 1926 1946 demolished in storm
Baker Island Light Mt. Desert Island 44°14′17″N 68°11′56″W / 44.2381°N 68.1990°W / 44.2381; -68.1990 (Baker Island Light) 105 ft (32 m) 1828/1855 1966 active
Bass Harbor Head Light Mount Desert Island 44°13′18″N 68°20′14″W / 44.2218°N 68.3373°W / 44.2218; -68.3373 (Bass Harbor Head Light) 56 ft (17 m) 1858 1974 active
Bear Island Light Bear Island 44°17′02″N 68°16′12″W / 44.2838°N 68.270°W / 44.2838; -68.270 (Bear Island Light) 33 ft (10 m) 1839/1889 1989[note 2] active; private aid[note 2]
Blue Hill Bay Light Green Island in Blue Hill Bay 44°17′02″N 68°16′12″W / 44.2838°N 68.270°W / 44.2838; -68.270 (Blue Hill Bay Light)[note 3] 1857 1935 inactive; light moved to adjacent skeleton tower
Boon Island Light York 43°07′17″N 70°28′35″W / 43.1214°N 70.4764°W / 43.1214; -70.4764 (Boon Island Light) 137 ft (42 m) 1811/1855 1980 active
Browns Head Light NW end of Vinalhaven Island 44°06′42″N 68°54′34″W / 44.1118°N 68.9095°W / 44.1118; -68.9095 (Browns Head Light) 39 ft (12 m) 1832/1857 1987 active
Burnt Coat Harbor Light Hockamock Head on Swan's Island 44°08′03″N 68°26′50″W / 44.1341°N 68.4472°W / 44.1341; -68.4472 (Burnt Coat Harbor Light) 75 ft (23 m) 1872 1975 active
Burnt Island Light Boothbay 43°49′31″N 69°38′25″W / 43.8252°N 69.6402°W / 43.8252; -69.6402 (Burnt Island Light) 61 ft (19 m) 1821 1981 active
Cape Elizabeth Lights Cape Elizabeth at Casco Bay entrance 43°33′58″N 70°12′00″W / 43.5661°N 70.2001°W / 43.5661; -70.2001 (East Cape Elizabeth Light) (east tower)
43°33′51″N 70°12′09″W / 43.5642°N 70.2025°W / 43.5642; -70.2025 (Cape Elizabeth Light) (west tower)[note 4] 		129 ft (39 m) 1828/1874 1963 1924 (west tower) East tower active; west tower inactive
Cape Neddick Light Cape Neddick, York 43°09′55″N 70°36′28″W / 43.1652°N 70.6078°W / 43.1652; -70.6078 (Cape Neddick Light) 88 ft (27 m) 1879 1987 active
Crabtree Ledge Light Crabtree Neck in Frenchman Bay 44°28′12″N 68°12′11″W / 44.470°N 68.203°W / 44.470; -68.203 (Crabtree Ledge Light)[12] 37 ft (11 m)[13] 1890 1933 destroyed by storm in 1950[13]
The Cuckolds Light Boothbay approach 43°46′46″N 69°39′00″W / 43.7795°N 69.6500°W / 43.7795; -69.6500 (The Cuckolds Light) 59 ft (18 m) 1907 1975 active
Curtis Island Light Camden 44°12′05″N 69°02′56″W / 44.2014°N 69.0489°W / 44.2014; -69.0489 (Curtis Island Light) 52 ft (16 m) 1835/1896 1972 active
Deer Island Thorofare Light Mark Island SSW of Stonington 44°08′04″N 68°42′12″W / 44.1344°N 68.7033°W / 44.1344; -68.7033 (Deer Island Thorofare Light) 52 ft (16 m) 1857 1958 active
Dice Head Light Castine 44°22′58″N 68°49′07″W / 44.3827°N 68.8186°W / 44.3827; -68.8186 (Dice Head Light) 134 ft (41 m) 1829 1937[note 5][14] active
Doubling Point Range Front Light Arrowsic Island in the Kennebec River 43°52′58″N 69°47′45″W / 43.8828°N 69.7957°W / 43.8828; -69.7957 (Doubling Point Range Front Light) 18 ft (5.5 m) 1898 1980 active
Doubling Point Range Rear Light Arrowsic Island in the Kennebec River 43°53′05″N 69°47′45″W / 43.8848°N 69.7957°W / 43.8848; -69.7957 (Doubling Point Range Rear Light) 33 ft (10 m) 1898 1980 active
Doubling Point Light Kennebec River SW of Bath 43°52′57″N 69°48′24″W / 43.8825°N 69.8068°W / 43.8825; -69.8068 (Doubling Point Light) 23 ft (7.0 m) 1899 1988 active
Eagle Island Light Penobscot Bay 44°13′03″N 68°46′04″W / 44.2176°N 68.7678°W / 44.2176; -68.7678 (Eagle Island Light) 23 ft (7.0 m) 1838/1858 1963 active
Egg Rock Light entrance to Frenchman Bay near Winter Harbor 44°21′14″N 68°08′18″W / 44.3539°N 68.1383°W / 44.3539; -68.1383 (Egg Rock Light) 64 ft (20 m) 1875 1976 active
Fort Point Light entrance to Penobscot River 44°28′02″N 68°48′42″W / 44.4671°N 68.8117°W / 44.4671; -68.8117 (Fort Point Light) 88 ft (27 m) 1837/1857 1988 active
Franklin Island Light Muscongus Bay 43°53′32″N 69°22′29″W / 43.8921°N 69.3746°W / 43.8921; -69.3746 (Franklin Island Light) 57 ft (17 m) 1805/1855 1967 active
Goat Island Light Cape Porpoise 43°21′28″N 70°25′30″W / 43.3579°N 70.4251°W / 43.3579; -70.4251 (Goat Island Light) 38 ft (12 m) 1835/1859 1990 active
Goose Rocks Light North Haven 44°08′07″N 68°49′51″W / 44.1354°N 68.8307°W / 44.1354; -68.8307 (Goose Rocks Light) 51 ft (16 m) 1890 1963 active
Great Duck Island Light Blue Hill Bay approaches 44°08′31″N 68°14′45″W / 44.1420°N 68.2458°W / 44.1420; -68.2458 (Great Duck Islandd Light) 67 ft (20 m) 1890 1986 active
Grindel Point Light Islesboro 44°16′53″N 68°56′35″W / 44.2814°N 68.9431°W / 44.2814; -68.9431 (Grindel Point Light) 67 ft (20 m) 1850/1874 1934[note 6][15] active
Halfway Rock Light Casco Bay 43°39′21″N 70°02′12″W / 43.6558°N 70.0368°W / 43.6558; -70.0368 (Halfway Rock Light) 76 ft (23 m) 1871 1975 active
Hendricks Head Light Sheepscot River entrance 43°49′21″N 69°41′23″W / 43.8226°N 69.6897°W / 43.8226; -69.6897 (Hendricks Head Light) 43 ft (13 m) 1829/1875 1951[note 7][16] active
Heron Neck Light Green's Island SW of Vinalhaven 44°01′30″N 68°51′44″W / 44.0251°N 68.8622°W / 44.0251; -68.8622 (Heron Neck Light) 92 ft (28 m) 1854 1982 active
Indian Island Light Entrance to Rockport harbor 44°09′56″N 69°03′40″W / 44.1655°N 69.0610°W / 44.1655; -69.0610 (Indian Island Light)[17] 1850/1875 1934 inactive
Isle Au Haut Light Robinson Point on Isle au Haut 44°03′53″N 68°39′05″W / 44.0647°N 68.6514°W / 44.0647; -68.6514 (Isle Au Haut Light) 48 ft (15 m) 1907 1934 active
Kennebunk Pier Light Kennebunkport north pier 11 ft (3.4 m) <1857 >1857 inactive
Libby Island Light Machias Bay entrance 44°34′06″N 67°22′03″W / 44.5683°N 67.3674°W / 44.5683; -67.3674 (Libby Island Light) 91 ft (28 m) 1822/1848 1974 active
Little River Light mouth of Little River SE of Cutler 44°39′03″N 67°11′32″W / 44.6509°N 67.1921°W / 44.6509; -67.1921 (Little River Light) 56 ft (17 m) 1846/1876 1974[note 6][1] active
Lubec Channel Light Lubec Channel S of Lubec 44°50′32″N 66°58′36″W / 44.8421°N 66.9766°W / 44.8421; -66.9766 (Lubec Channel Light) 53 ft (16 m) 1890 1968 active
Marshall Point Light Port Clyde harbor entrance 43°55′03″N 69°15′41″W / 43.9174°N 69.2613°W / 43.9174; -69.2613 (Marshall Point Light) 30 ft (9.1 m) 1832/1857 1980 active
Matinicus Rock Light Matinicus Rock S of Matinicus Island 43°47′01″N 68°51′18″W / 43.7835°N 68.8550°W / 43.7835; -68.8550 (Matinicus Rock Light) 90 ft (27 m) 1827/1857 1983 active; reduced from two towers to one in 1924[1]
Monhegan Island Light Monhegan Island 43°45′53″N 69°18′57″W / 43.7648°N 69.3158°W / 43.7648; -69.3158 (Monhegan Island Light) 178 ft (54 m) 1824/1850 1959 active
Moose Peak Light Mistake Island E of Great Wass Island 44°28′29″N 67°31′55″W / 44.4746°N 67.5320°W / 44.4746; -67.5320 (Moose Peak Light) 72 ft (22 m) 1827/1851 1972 active
Mount Desert Light south of Mount Desert Island 43°58′07″N 68°07′42″W / 43.9686°N 68.1283°W / 43.9686; -68.1283 (Mount Desert Light) 75 ft (23 m) 1830/1847 1977 active
Narraguagus Light Pond Island in Narraguagus Bay 44°27′22″N 67°49′52″W / 44.456°N 67.8312°W / 44.456; -67.8312 (Narraguagus Light)[18] 54 ft (16 m)[19] 1853 1934 inactive
Nash Island Light southeast mouth of Pleasant Bay 44°27′51″N 67°44′50″W / 44.4643°N 67.7473°W / 44.4643; -67.7473 (Nash Island Light)[20] 51 ft (16 m)[21] 1838/1874 1958 1982 inactive
Owls Head Light Owls Head in Penobscot Bay 44°05′32″N 69°02′38″W / 44.0922°N 69.0440°W / 44.0922; -69.0440 (Owls Head Light) 100 ft (30 m) 1826 1989 active
Pemaquid Point Light Bristol 43°50′12″N 69°30′21″W / 43.8368°N 69.5058°W / 43.8368; -69.5058 (Pemaquid Point Light) 79 ft (24 m) 1827/1835 1934 active
Perkins Island Light Perkins Island in the Kennebec River 43°47′12″N 69°47′07″W / 43.7868°N 69.7852°W / 43.7868; -69.7852 (Perkins Island Light) 41 ft (12 m) 1898 1959 active
Petit Manan Light off Petit Manan Point S of Milbridge 44°22′03″N 67°51′52″W / 44.3676°N 67.8644°W / 44.3676; -67.8644 (Petit Manan Light) 123 ft (37 m) 1817/1855 1972 active
Pond Island Light Pond Island at entrance to the Kennebec River 43°44′24″N 69°46′13″W / 43.7400°N 69.7703°W / 43.7400; -69.7703 (Pond Island Light) 52 ft (16 m) 1821/1855 1963 active
Portland Breakwater Light South Portland 43°39′20″N 70°14′06″W / 43.6555°N 70.2349°W / 43.6555; -70.2349 (Portland Breakwater Light) 30 ft (9.1 m) 1855/1875 1934[note 8] active; private aid[note 8]
Portland Head Light Cape Elizabeth 43°37′23″N 70°12′28″W / 43.6231°N 70.2079°W / 43.6231; -70.2079 (Portland Head Light) 101 ft (31 m) 1791 1989 active
Prospect Harbor Point Light Prospect Harbor 44°24′12″N 68°00′47″W / 44.4034°N 68.0130°W / 44.4034; -68.0130 (Prospect Harbor Point Light) 42 ft (13 m) 1850/1891 1951 active
Pumpkin Island Light N entrance to Eggemoggin Reach in Penobscot Bay 44°18′33″N 68°44′34″W / 44.3092°N 68.7428°W / 44.3092; -68.7428 (Pumpkin Island Light)[22] 1854 1933 inactive
Ram Island Ledge Light Casco Bay 43°37′53″N 70°11′15″W / 43.6315°N 70.1874°W / 43.6315; -70.1874 (Ram Island Ledge Light) 77 ft (23 m) 1905 1959 active
Ram Island Light Ram Island S of Boothbay Harbor 43°48′14″N 69°35′57″W / 43.8038°N 69.5992°W / 43.8038; -69.5992 (Ram Island Light) 36 ft (11 m) 1883 1965 active
Rockland Harbor Breakwater Light Rockland 44°06′14″N 69°04′39″W / 44.1040°N 69.0775°W / 44.1040; -69.0775 (Rockland Harbor Breakwater Light) 39 ft (12 m) 1827/1902 1964 active
Saddleback Ledge Light Isle au Haut 44°00′52″N 68°43′35″W / 44.0144°N 68.7264°W / 44.0144; -68.7264 (Saddleback Ledge Light) 54 ft (16 m) 1839 1954 active
Saint Croix River Light St. Croix River SE of Calais 45°07′42″N 67°08′02″W / 45.1282°N 67.1338°W / 45.1282; -67.1338 (Saint Croix River Light) 77 ft (23 m)[23] 1857/1901 1957 supplanted by skeleton tower; burned down in 1976
Seguin Light Georgetown 43°42′27″N 69°45′29″W / 43.7075°N 69.7580°W / 43.7075; -69.7580 (Seguin Light) 180 ft (55 m) 1795/1857 1985 active
Spring Point Ledge Light South Portland 43°39′08″N 70°13′26″W / 43.6521°N 70.2239°W / 43.6521; -70.2239 (Spring Point Ledge Light) 54 ft (16 m) 1897 1934 active
Squirrel Point Light Arrowsic Island on the Kennebec River 43°48′59″N 69°48′09″W / 43.8165°N 69.8024°W / 43.8165; -69.8024 (Squirrel Point Light) 25 ft (7.6 m) 1898 1979 active
Tenants Harbor Light Southern Island 43°57′40″N 69°11′05″W / 43.9611°N 69.1848°W / 43.9611; -69.1848 (Tenants Harbor Light)[24] 27 ft (8.2 m)[25] 1857 1933 inactive
Two Bush Island Light W of Penobscot Bay entrance 43°57′51″N 69°04′26″W / 43.9642°N 69.0739°W / 43.9642; -69.0739 (Two Bush Island Light) 65 ft (20 m) 1897 1964 active
West Quoddy Head Light Lubec 44°48′54″N 66°57′03″W / 44.8151°N 66.9507°W / 44.8151; -66.9507 (West Quoddy Head Light) 83 ft (25 m) 1808/1858 1988 active
Whaleback Light Portsmouth Harbor 43°03′32″N 70°41′47″W / 43.0588°N 70.6963°W / 43.0588; -70.6963 (Whaleback Light) 59 ft (18 m) 1820/1872 1963 active
Whitehead Light Whitehead Island at Penobscot Bay entrance 43°58′43″N 69°07′27″W / 43.9787°N 69.1243°W / 43.9787; -69.1243 (Whitehead Light) 75 ft (23 m) 1807/1852 1982 active
Whitlocks Mill Light south bank St. Croix River E of Calais 45°09′45″N 67°13′39″W / 45.1626°N 67.2274°W / 45.1626; -67.2274 (Whitlocks Mill Light) 32 ft (9.8 m) 1892/1910 1969 active
Winter Harbor Light Mark Island in Winter Harbor 44°21′41″N 68°05′15″W / 44.3614°N 68.0876°W / 44.3614; -68.0876 (Winter Harbor Light)[26] 37 ft (11 m)[26] 1856 1933 inactive
Wood Island Light Biddeford Pool 43°27′25″N 70°19′45″W / 43.4569°N 70.3291°W / 43.4569; -70.3291 (Wood Island Light) 71 ft (22 m) 1808/1858 1986 active

Notes

  1. ↑ If there is a second date, it represents the date the most recent tower was lit.
  2. 1 2 Inactive 1981-1989.
  3. ↑ Location of modern tower
  4. ↑ estimated from Google Maps
  5. ↑ Inactive 1937-2007; during this period the light was displayed on a skeleton tower.
  6. 1 2 Inactive 1934-1987; during this period the light was displayed on a skeleton tower.
  7. ↑ Inactive 1934-1951.
  8. 1 2 Inactive 1942-2002.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Maine". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.
  2. 1 2 "Lighthouses of the United States: Southern Maine". Russ Rowlett.
  3. ↑ "Portland Head Light". Lighthouse Friends.
  4. ↑ "Whitlocks Mill Light". LighthouseFriends.
  5. ↑ "West Quoddy Head Light: History". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  6. ↑ "Boon Island Light: History". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Maine Lights Program: Overview and Conclusions" (PDF). Island Institute. January 2000.
  8. ↑ "Legendary Lighthouses: Maine Lights Program". PBS. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  9. ↑ "Tenants Harbor Light: History". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  10. ↑ Light List, Volume I, Atlantic Coast, St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. 2012.
  11. 1 2 "Avery Rock Light". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  12. ↑ "Crabtree Ledge Light". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  13. 1 2 "Crabtree Ledge Light: History". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  14. ↑ "Dice Head Light: History". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  15. ↑ "Grindel Point Light". LighthouseFriends.
  16. ↑ "Hendricks Head Light". LighthouseFriends.
  17. ↑ "Indian Island Light". LighthouseFriends.
  18. ↑ "Narraguagus (Pond Island) Light". Lighthouse Friends.
  19. ↑ "Narraguagus (Pond Island) Light: History". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  20. ↑ "Nash Island Light". Lighthouse Friends.
  21. ↑ "Nash Island Light". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  22. ↑ "Pumpkin Island Light". Lighthouse Friends.
  23. ↑ "St. Croix River Light". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  24. ↑ "Tenants Harbor, ME". LighthouseFriends.
  25. ↑ "Tenants Harbor Light". Jeremy D'Entremont.
  26. 1 2 "Winter Harbor, ME". Lighthouse Friends.
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