Prospect Harbor Lighthouse
Prospect Harbor, ME

History:
The first lighthouse to mark the east side of the harbor entrance was built in 1850. S. H. Sargent succeeded the first keeper, Pilsbury Stevens, in April 1853. The light was deactivated between 1859 and 1870, because, according to the Lighthouse Board, the harbor was “not used as a harbor of refuge, and the village near which it is situated has only a small coasting trade.”

The light was deactivated between 1859 and 1870, because "the harbor is not used as a harbor of refuge, and the village near which it is situated has only a small coasting trade." Evidently, the use of the harbor increased, as in 1870 the Lighthouse Board announced that the light was reactivated on May 15 "to serve as a guide to the harbor of refuge which it marks."

The original granite lighthouse attached to the keeper's house was replaced in 1891 by the present 38-foot wood lighthouse with a fifth order Fresnel lens, and a new 1 1/2 story farmhouse-style keeper's house. The house and tower were at first attached by a covered passageway, but the passageway was later removed. A stone oil house was added in 1905, and for a time the station had an active fog bell.

The light was automated in 1934, but a caretaker (John Workman) remained at the station until 1953. In 1951 the Fresnel lens was replaced.

The light remains an active aid to navigation, while the surrounding grounds and buildings belong to the U.S. Navy; the lighthouse is on the grounds of a Navy installation. The keeper's house, known as "Gull Cottage," is also available for overnight stays for active and retired military families. Active Navy personnel receive reservation priorities.

Source: New England Lighthouses: A Virtual Guide

Personal Note:
Update to above info. You can drive up to the gate by the lighthouse. From there you can walk along the rocky beach to get good views of the lighthouse.

Latitude/Longitude: 44.403396,-68.012904

Nearest Address: Lighthouse Point Rd, Prospect Harbor, ME

• From Route 1 take Route 195 south for 4.9 miles into Prospect Harbor.
• At the intersection with Route 186, turn left onto Route 186.
• In 0.2 miles turn right onto Corea Rd.
• In another 0.2 miles bear right onto Lighthouse Rd.
• Follow this to the end. There is no access to the lighthouse but you can park at the nearby shoreline and walk along the beach to get good photo opportunities of the lighthouse.

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