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DOWNEAST LIGHT HOUSES
Dice Head Light. From Rte 1 at Orland, take Rte 175/166 through Castine, to lands end. parrk your car there; a small path leads to the light.
Erected in 1828, Dice head Light marks the entrance to Castine Harbor & the Penobscot River, which takes you up to the town of Bangor... This beauty has a very quaint keeper's cottage attached to the station. The light is owned by the town of Castine ~ a great little town to take a stroll and grab some lunch.... |
.Baker Island Light. In Acadia National park, Rte 3 to Rte 198 S. to Northeast Harbor. Turn left at Harbor Dr.(marina). The "Ilseford Ferry" offers trips to the island.
This 43 feet tower was built in 1855 high above the sea at the western approach to Frenchman's Bay. Its strategic location was chosen to warn sailors & mariners of the dangerous ledges and reefs that surround this group of islands known as "TheCranberries".
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Little River Light. Route 1 in Machias, south on Rte 191; follow to Cutter Harbor. During the summer season you can charter a boat to take you out to the light, as it is only visible from the sea...
Originally built in 1847, the current 41-feet cast iron tower still watches over the spectacular Bay of Fundy (home of the world's highest & lowest tides!). Little River Light marks the opening of the harbor and is also a mid-point marker between Machias Seal Island and West Quoddy Head. |
West Quoddy Light. From Rte 1 at Whiting, turn out onto Rte 189; after about 4 miles, turn right on to South Lubec; follow signs to lands end. Park your car and stroll to the lighthouse.
First commissioned by Thomas Jefferson in 1808, and rebuilt in 1858, this station is the eastern-most lighthouse in the U.S. & marks the southwest entrance into Quoddy Channel. I am always taken with the stripes ~ so cool ~ it gives such a humorous flair to the very serious business of warning people of the dangerous ledges, shoals and other hazards of the rugged Gulf of Maine. |
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MID COAST LIGHT HOUSES
Pemaquid Point Light. From Rte 1 in Damariscotta, turn on Rte 129/130 and follow reach to lands end. Watch for signs and park your car.
This light was erected in 1827 atop striking horizontal granite ledges. I think it looks a lot like petrified wood ~ if trees grew that big ~ but it is not! Here on the western edge of the Muscongus Bay, the light seems to linger longer. The point is a wonderful place to wonder & wander. Come August, the nights are perfect for stargazing. Make a wish... as you will see many shooting stars! When you are on Pemaquid Point, the rest of the world seems to fall away ... Be sure to bring lots of film and try to capture the magic of this stunning sentry of the sea. |
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Franklin Island Light.
This lonely light was built in 1804 on a small island at the entrance of Musgongus Bay. Best seen from a boat. |
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Owls Head Light. Rte 1 from Thomaston / Rockland; turn south onto Rte 73. At North Shore Rd turn left, travel about 2 1/2 miles to Lighthouse Rd. Turn left and follow signs to parking lot.
Commissioned in 1825, Owls Head Light is located high above sea level at the entrance of Rockland Harbor. While it is at its best when seen from a boat, you can also drive to the point and explore. It is a great place to walk and poke around. I love the perspective of the stairs leading up to the door of the lighthouse... |
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Rockland Breakwater Light. From Rockland, Rte 1, turn onto Waldo Ave. at Samoset Resort, then make a quick right at Samoset Rd. This dead ends at a parking lot. Park and walk. The light seems farther than it really is, just under one mile.
This light was erected in 1902 at the end of the breakwater. I like walking out to the light on top of the sea wall (but NOT on a crazy wave kind of day...). The sea is everywhere around you. However, if you want to take great pictures of this light, I would suggest a boat ride in the harbor... |
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Browns Head Light. Take the ferry from Rockland to Vinalhaven Island. Coming off the ferry turn right & follow Main and High streets to North Haven Rd. Turn right and continue for 6 miles. Pay attention as there are no signs. You will soon see a bunch of mail boxes. At this dirt road (Crockett River Rd.), turn left, then at second dirt road, make a right. You will see a small sign pointing to the lighthouse. Pass a cemetery on the right and proceed to the adjacent parking lot. Voilà, you are finally there!
The rocky shoreline where this lighthouse was constructed in 1832 on the island of Vinalhaven is exquisitely lovely. It is so restful to lie on the lawn surrounding the station, and listen to the sea, read a book or count the ospreys. Always so magical here... |
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SOUTH COAST LIGHT HOUSES
Cape Neddick ~ or Nubble Light ~ York. From Rte 1 take 1A to York beach; watch for signs to "Nubble Light"; follow to parking area, lands end at Sohier Park.
Built in 1879, this lighthouse is perched upon a small rocky outcropping near the town of York. A great lighthouse to photograph ~ from the opposite shore, or take in the view while eating steamers at Fox's Lobster House on Nubble Point... All the buildings are lit up with little white lights during the holiday season... Divine! |
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Ram Island Ledge Light.
This 90-feet high light was built in 1904, sitting on a ledge (not visible at high tide) just off Ram Island. When viewing from the shore near Cape Elizabeth and Portland Head Light, you can see Ram Island Light at night in the Casco Bay, flashing and warning mariners of the dangerous ledges. |
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Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth. From Portland, Rte 77 through Cape Elizabeth, bear left at Two Lights Rd., pass the bucolic farms and follow TwoLights signs to parking lot at lands end.
Built in 1828. Originally was two towers, the West Tower was decommissioned in 1924, while the East Tower still serves as a beacon, warning of the dangerous rocks below. Time your visit with lunch or dinner, and have a sublime lobster roll at the lobster shack across the parking lot. Open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, this little restaurant does a brisk business and is our favorite hangout after exploring the dramatic rock formations that jut out into the sea. A great place for moody photography, especially when the fog rolls in... |
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Portland Head Light. From Portland, Rte 77 to Cape Elizabeth. Turn East on Shore Road and follow signs to Fort Williams / Portland Head Light.
One of the most photographed in America, this gem of a lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington in 1790. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote poetry here. |
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Spring Point Ledge Light.
This smaller light was constructed in 1897. It sports a funny "sparkplug" style. Most of these small lights were made of cast iron, but Spring Point was built of brick and painted white. Seen from Portland and many of the Casco Bay islands, this little light blinks the night away. Best View is from any one of the ferries going to or from the islands. |
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