Portland Head Light
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Portland Head Quick Facts
Year Station Established: 1791
Is the Light operational? Yes
Year Light First Lit: 1791
Year Automated: 1989
Shape: Conical
Tower Height: 80 ft.
Original Optic: 4th Order, Fresnel
Present Optic: DCB-224 (1991)
Existing Keepers Quarters? Yes
Year Constructed: 1891
Number of Stories: 2
Architectural Style: Duplex
Construction Materials: Wood
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Portland Head Light
Portland, Maine
Click here for more Photos
(6 photos, 201KB total download)
History/Info:
Portland Head has long protected Portland and the adjacent area. Cape
Elizabeth residents were deeply committed to American independence from
British rule. In 1776, the new Town of Cape Elizabeth posted a guard of
eight soldiers at Portland Head to warn citizens of coming British
attacks.
In 1787, the General Court of Massachusetts (the Massachusetts
legislature) provided $750 to begin construction of a lighthouse. In 1790,
when the United States Government took over the responsibility of all
lighthouses, Congress appropriated $1,500 for its completion. The original
tower measured 72' from base to lantern deck and was lit with 16 whale oil
lamps. It was first lit on January 10, 1791.
Construction of the first Keeper's Quarters began in 1790 as the result of
a contract signed by Massachusetts Governor John Hancock. A one story
dwelling built to replace the first keeper's house was erected in 1816. It
measured 34' x 20' with two rooms, a cellar and a porch in the rear.
By 1864 a 4th order Fresnel lens and a cast iron staircase were installed.
By 1865, the tower was raised 20' and a 2nd order Fresnel lens was
installed. A portion of this lens may now be seen at the Museum at
Portland Head Light. Except for a period between1883 and1885, this lens
was in the lighthouse until 1958.
Late on Christmas Eve in 1886, the three masted bark Annie C. Maguire
struck the ledge at Portland Head. Keeper Joshua Strout, his son, wife,
and volunteers rigged an ordinary ladder as a gangplank between the shore
and the ledge the ship was heeled against. Captain O'Neil, the ship's
master, his wife, two mates, and the nine man crew clambered onto the
ledge and then to safety . The cause of the wreck is puzzling since
visibility was not a problem. Members of the crew reported they "plainly
saw Portland Light before the disaster and are unable to account for
same."
The current Keepers' Quarters building was constructed in 1891 as a two
story duplex. Until 1989, it was home to the head and assistant lighthouse
keepers and their families.
Portland Head Light was the responsibility of the United States Department
of the Treasury from 1790 to 1852 when management was transferred to the
US Lighthouse Board. The Board was reorganized into the Bureau of
Lighthouses in 1910. In 1939, aids to navigation became the responsibility
of the United States Coast Guard. On August 7th, 1989, Petty Officer Davis
Simpson struck the US flag for the last time at the decommissioning
ceremony recognizing the automation of the lighthouse. The property was
leased in 1990 to the Town of Cape Elizabeth. Three years later, through
the efforts of United States Senator George Mitchell, the property was
deeded to the Town. The United States Coast Guard maintains the actual
light and the fog signal, but the remainder of the property is managed by
the Town of Cape Elizabeth.
Source:
Portland Head Light Museum & Gift Shop
Hours:
Fort Williams Park is open year round from sunrise to sunset. There is no
admission fee. The lighthouse may be easily photographed from many areas
within the park.
The Museum at Portland Head Light is open daily from Memorial Day to the
Friday following Columbus Day. From mid April to Memorial Day and from
Columbus Day to just before Christmas the Museum is open weekends only.
The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The admission fee is $2.00 for adults and
$1.00 for children age 6-18. Children younger than 6 are free.
The Gift Shop is open at all times when the Museum is open and is also
open on weekends from November 1st to just before Christmas.
Latitude/Longitude: 43°37'N 70°13'W
Directions:
click here
for overview map
click here
for detail map #1
click here
for detail map #2
click here
for detail map #3
- From points south of Portland take Route 1 north into South Portland and
take a right onto Broadway.
- In appx. 2.5 miles turn right onto Cottage St.
- In just over a mile Cottage St. becomes Shore Rd. (at the intersection
with Woodbury St. on the left). Continue straight on Shore Rd.
- In just under a mile you'll come to the entrance to Fort Williams State
Park. The lighthouse is at the far end of the park.
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