The Lighthouses of New England

Mulholland Lighthouse
July 20, 2004

Located on the east side of the Lubec Channel (thus in Canada), this lighthouse can easily be seen from Maine (if the fog's not in).  It was pretty thick when I got up, but after breakfast, as you can see, the other side was visible (if not beautifully lit).

(Take US 1 as far east as it will go, the follow State route 189 to Lubec.  God willing, you will see both this light and the one below.)

ME 1

ME-2

Yes, Lubec Maine is related to Lubeck, Germany (the first settlers came from there).  This cast iron tower on a steel caisson was one of 47 of this design, all called "sparkplug" lighthouses.  It was built in 1890, was automated in 1939, but is no longer in service.

ME-3

West Quoddy Head
July 20, 2004

With it's pretty red and white candy strips, this is one of the more famous in Maine.  It's also the eastmost light in the US on mainland.  Constructed in 1858, it was automated in 1988.

ME-11

Prospect Harbor
July 20, 2004

The actual light is located on a Naval Base, and restricted from access.  However, if you go to the village of Prospect Harbor, and take your binoculars, you can see the picture we've attached.

ME-18

Reputedly, the most photographed lighthouse in Maine (so they say, I'd suspect Portland Head wins hands down), this is just south of the town of Bass Harbor, and easy to find.  There is a little matter of the walk down the stairs (down was easy, up wasn't), but we won't mention the small details (much).

ME-29

Curtis Island
July 20, 2004

As we went to dinner, we got a map (to find the restaurant). Marnie asked "do you suppose we can see the Curtis Island light from near the restaurant?"   Well, not close, and not from public land, but we found an unoccupied house, walked on their ground, and look what I found!

This is a public park, but access is by boat.

Curtis Island is just south of Camden ME.  Find one, the other is easy to find (but the light is not necessarily visible)

On the way to get the picture of the Curtis Island Light (see above), we thought we'd found it.  Here's the picture we got (and then compared with the reference book and found we were wrong).

ME-34

Rockland Breakwater
July 21, 2004

We got our exercise early this morning as we walked the "more than a mile" out the breakwater to this light.  As you can see, it's a lovely light, but it also was 1 hour round trip from the car.  I'm sure you won't believe me about the length, so I attached a photo.

ME-35

All the way on the other side of the bay from the Rockland Breakwater is this light.  It was built in 1826 and is still in operation.  We're told that the fog signal is more important than the light (because when it's really important, you can't see the light).

From Rockland, take route 73 south, then turn left on North Shore Road.  The left turn into the light is well marked.

ME-39

Marshall Point
July 21,2004

This little light is attached to a beautiful building.  Since I couldn't get them in the same picture, you've got both attached.

ME-43

This is a dedicated park, not much bigger than the light house plot, but with a nice parking lot and attendance fee.  It also has a lovely gift shop next door, so we were both happy.

Take route 129 to route 130 and follow all the way to the light.

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ME-47

Hendrick's Head
July 21, 2004

This light is private property, so the picture is taken from the neighboring beach.  Given that the weather was warm, there was zero parking available, so Marnie double parked as I took this picture with the long lens, then we got out of everybodies way.

Take route 27 south the Beach Road.  Luckily, there is a small roundabout there, or you'd miss the turn.

ME-54

Actually in South Portland, there is a park here labeled Bug Light Park and the grounds are open to the public

There are actually more lights around here than you can count.  Many people wouldn't count this channel marker, but it looks to me like it's permanently fixed (not floating) and has a light (not just a bell).  This photo was taken from the end of the breakwater (above).

ME-55

Just south of Bug light is the Portland Harbor Museum.  You can walk out the breakwater or use your long lens to avoid the walk.

ME-56

This picture is from right next to the Fog Signal of Portland Head light.  It was pretty hazy, so this has been extensively modified to make it look "nice."

ME-57

Portland Head
August 1, 2006

This is a beautiful lighthouse, on a gorgeous coast, and we were lucky that the second time was a charm as far as the weather goes.

Take State Route 77 south from Portland (ME) and you'll see signs pointing to the coast (left going south).  Follow the signs to the Fort William Park where you will find both the fort and the lighthouse.

ME-59

There are actually 2 lights here, but instead of being arranged in a range formation, they are designed so navigators can measure the angle between them, and know precisely where they are.

 Take ME 77 south from Portland, turn left of 2 Lights Rd, then again on 2 Lights Terrace.

ME-62

Nubble Light  (Cape Neddick Light)
June 20, 2002

A true "picture" by itself, this light is on an island connected to the mainland by a small overhead trolley.

The lighthouse was erected in 1879.   The picture is taken from Sohier park (he donated the land to the city) in York Beach, ME. 

Highway 1 will take you to York Beach, then you need to navigate east to Neddick Point.  Note, this is south of the village of Cape Neddick.

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ME-64

Whaleback
June 20, 2002

There are a pair of lights protecting the shoals in front of Portsmouth.  Technically, this is in Maine.  Here is one.  The other is above in New Hampshire.

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NH-1

The original tower at Fort Point was built in 1771.  This steel tower was built in 1877. 

Take highway 1 to downtown Portsmouth, then Highway 1B  south to Fort Point.

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MA-1

This rear range light is right next to the street that borders the coast. 

Take highway 1 to Newburyport MA, then Merrimack Street south to Water Street.

MA-2

NewburyPort Front Range Light
June 20, 2002

The front range (matching the picture above) is located on the Coast Guard post in downtown Newburyport.

MA 5

MA-9

Ten Pound Island
July 18, 2004

Checking out potential locations for the Stephen/Tia wedding, we came across this light. 

Take 128 north from Boston, then 133 east to the T.   The light is dead ahead on the island.

On the way out to Georges Island, we saw this "lighthouse" in the distance.  On the way back, we came much closer and can clearly see that while it is a channel marker, it's not a light.

MA-16

It's a long way from the fort on Georges Island to this light, but a long lens and significant color correction (because of the haze) allow you to see it here.

MA-17

Boston Harbor Light
July 30, 2006

The light is on Little Brewster Island and officially marks the entrance to Boston Harbor. Built in 1824, this is the oldest lighthouse in New England.  This picture was taken from the Fort on Georges Island.  Careful selection of Harbor Tour might get you closer, but "as for now", this is the best we can do.

MA 18

MA-19

This picture was taken from the deck of a Boston Islands "T" boat.  It's still well in the distance, so you are seeing the result of a long lens to get here.

MA 36

Nantucket Range Lights
August 5, 2006

As you may note from the next 3 listings, there are 3 sets of lights at Nantucket harbor.  This is the range light set.  Even more interesting, we saw these lights as part of a Rhode Island tour, but Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard are part of Massachusetts. 

MA 37

Lighthouses have not done well on Nantucket.  This is the 1896 version, which is the 9th light built here.  It was replaced by the light shown below.

MA 38

Brant Point
August 5, 2006

This is the currently active (plus the range lights shown above) light at the mouth of Nantucket harbor.  It was built in 1902 replacing the light above.  It's small (note how big the 6' something door looks compared to the rest of the tower), but is picturesque enough that others are copying the model.

MA 39

MA 40

Sankaty Head
August 5, 2006

This light is in danger of erosion, they figure a few more years (or one big storm) and it will be gone.  Plans are to start moving it February 2007, so if you have a spare $3,000,000, they'd like to talk with you.

We got to walk up in the tower (60 steps, plus 9 more on a ladder) and the view is outstanding.

MA 41

MA 42

Nobska Point
August 7, 2006

This light is just east of Wood's Hole on Cape Cod.  We took the picture from our cruise, but looking at the people walking along the shore, it is also possible to get here on the ground.

My mapping program had a "bunch" of lights that the index book didn't have.  This light and the next are examples.  I think the index book was correct in omitting them. 

Oak Bluffs North Breakwater
August 6, 2006

This "light" is actually on a set of rocks which keep the swimming area less turbulent, and "teach" boaters not to come through at the same time.

MA 43

Vineyard haven is a long and narrow harbor.  The West end is marked with this light.  It still has 2 keepers cottages in place (only one is shown here) and is also the source of the fog horn signal for the entire harbor.

MA 44

East Chop
August 6, 2006

On the other side of the harbor is this light.  It's a cast iron shrouded brick building, pretty much the same design as Portsmouth harbor (see above).  The keeper's house is long gone, but the area is public owned.

MA 45

Yes, we did see a bunch of lights this day of the tour.  Readers will note a resemblance to the one above.  Differences are very minute, until you step inside.  This one does not have a spiral staircase, it just has a ladder.  And it's not brick lined, it actually was floated across the bay from near Wood's Hole.

MA 46

Cape Poge
August 5, 2006

This is on an isolated point of Martha's Vineyard (6 miles of beach to cross to get here).  So we arrived as early as possible, I grabbed this picture with the long lens, added digital filtering to brighten it up, and this is what we get.  More of Martha's Vineyard tomorrow.

MA 47

This light is on the Atlantic ocean, and right below it is a very striated cliff with several layers of sand.  So the "gay" is not intended to discuss sexual orientation, but "pleasureful".

Gay Head
Imaginary

At the museum in Egdartown, they have the original Gay Head Fresnell lens on display.  This picture is a composite of the current light, with the original lens reinserted.

MA 48

Tarpaulin Cove
August 7, 2006

This light is on a private island.  About the only way to get here is to charter a boat or be a relative of the Forbes family.  We had some extra time on this leg of the cruise, so Jeremy persuaded the captain to take a less direct route and we got this picture.

RI 1

This light is off a point in the middle of the channel off the end of the Sakonnet river.  Thus, without a boat, you won't get much of a picture.

RI 2

This (as you can see) is no longer a functional lighthouse.  It's between Point Judith and the city of Newport.

RI 3

This is on the lands of a private resort (and there was considerable discussion about building it between the owner and the government).

RI 4

Ida Lewis Rock
August 8, 2006

Ida Lewis was a very well known light keeper.  In reality, this is more of a memorial than a lighthouse, but in that small black square at the corner of the building is a licensed light house.

RI 5

We hadn't intended to go here, but markings on the highway weren't clear.  This is taken from the toll bridge between Jamestown Island and Newport.

RI 6

Rose Island
August , 2006

This is in the heart of Newport harbor (that's the Newport to Jamestown bridge in the background).  There is a very active preservation society here and you can rent the lighthouse by the week which makes you a keeper (and they make you work for your title as well.  We're told there's a 3 year waiting list for reservations.

RI 7

This is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in New England.  To reach Prudence Island you need a boat or use the Prudence Island Ferry.  We took this picture from the RI Lighthouse cruise (organized by Lighthouse Depot)

RI 8

Hog Island Shoal
August 4, 2006

You can see this light from the south end of the Mount Hope Bridge, but this picture is from our cruise.

RI 9

This light is literally directly under the Mount Hope Bridge (you can see the abutment behind it).  We took this picture from our cruise, and I don't know how to get down Ferry Road (see note below).

It can be seen from the end of Ferry Road in Bristol near the Mount Hope Bridge.

RI 10

Nayatt Point
August 4, 2006

The easiest way to see this light is to go to Nayatt Point (which is all residential), then go North about 1/2 mile and find the parking for the fishermen.  Walk out on the beach, walk back the 1/2 mile, and here you are.

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RI 12

Conimicut
August 3, 2006

If you come to the community of Conimicut, and navigate to the Cominicut Point park, the light is "right there."  This photo was taken using the long lens, the digitally cropped, so if you want to get close, you probably need a boat.

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Plum Beach
August 2, 2006

This light is right next to the bridge from the mainland to Jamestown Island.  We took this picture (with the long lens) by standing on a road shooting over a householder's car in his/her driveway.

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RI 18

Beavertail
August 2, 2006

This light is at the southern tip of an island south of Jamestown .  It not only has this light, but the base of the original light and a museum as well.

And, while we were there, they were taking pictures of the bride and groom.

RI 19

This is at the very end of "tourist country", so is often hard to get to (south of Narragansett).  We took this picture from a tour boat.

This is a private house located on Point Judith pond.  The owner decided he liked lighthouses, so he collected "a bunch" of old stones and erected this light.  It has never been used for navigation, it is not licensed, but it sure looks slick.

The photo was taken from a Southland Sightseeing tour (Galilee, RI).  Physically, it just up the river west of Point Judith (above)

RI 20

Block Island North
August 7, 2006

This is the 4th lighthouse to occupy this land.  Two of the others washed away in the storms, the other was too far back to be effective.

We got onto Block Island at 7:30 PM, got in our bus (the driver volunteered to drive us) and rushed out here to beat the sunset.  It was cloudy and pretty dark, but as you can see, the camera came through.

RI 21

This light is the tallest (highest above sea level) in New England, and probably the fanciest as well.  It was built with capacity for a head keeper and family (the right half) and for two assistant keepers and their families in 1876.

RI 22