The Maine Beaches Visitor Guide 2020 Visitor's Guide to The Maine Beaches | Page 16

Boon Island Lighthouse
Goat Island Lighthouse
WHALEBACK LIGHTHOUSE Kittery Point GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 43.0586° Longitude: -70.6966°
Although it marks the approach to Portsmouth Harbor in NH, Whaleback Light is on the Maine side of the Piscataqua River
and officially a Maine lighthouse. The original Whaleback Lighthouse, which was erected in 1831, was so poorly constructed that
just five years later, it was apparent it would need to be rebuilt. Amazingly it lasted until 1872 when a new tower was assembled
out of dovetailed granite blocks. Once again the light requires significant restoration and is not open to the public. Luckily, one
of the best views of the light is from Fort Foster in Kittery Point.
BOON ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE York Beach GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 43.1214° Longitude: -70.4764°
Boon Island Light's storied past includes shipwrecks, cannibalism and human survival. A twenty-five-foot tower was first erected
in 1811 under President James Madison. In 1831 a new, forty-nine-foot-tall granite tower with an octagonal wrought-iron lantern
was built. This structure did not hold up well to the harsh elements six miles out to sea. So, in 1855, a 133-foot tall granite tower
was erected, making Boon Island Light New England's tallest lighthouse. Distant viewing from shore is possible from York Harbor
Beach, Long Sands Beach, or Nubble Lighthouse on Cape Neddick.
CAPE NEDDICK “NUBBLE LIGHT” York GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 43.165° Longitude: -70.5916°
In 1874 President Rutherford B. Hayes appropriated funds to build a lighthouse on the “Nub” of land off the eastern end of
Cape Neddick. On July 1, 1879, the Knubble Lighthouse was completed and began its role in protecting the maritime trade up
and down the Maine coast. Nearly 100 years later, the Nubble Light was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
One of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, Cape Neddick Light, is now owned and maintained by the town of
York. It can be viewed from Sohier Park or via a lighthouse cruise; there is no public access to the island.
GOAT ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE Cape Porpoise GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 43.3583° Longitude: -70.4249°
Perched on the southern end of Goat Island, Goat Island Lighthouse is an iconic sight in Cape Porpoise. Initially built in 1833
of split stone, the 20 feet high tower was replaced in 1859 by the slightly larger painted brick version that is visible today. In
2011, the light was restored to its 1950s state through the generous efforts of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. The light
was the last of the Maine lighthouses to host a U.S. Coast Guard keeper. During the summer, the keeper's quarter is still home
to volunteer keepers—but please be mindful it is a private residence. Visitors can view the lighthouse from Cape Porpoise,
or visited by boat near the high tide.
WOOD ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE Biddeford Pool GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 43.4569° Longitude: -70.3291°
Wood Island Lighthouse sits just outside the entrance to Biddeford Pool and the end of the Saco River. Named for the
uninhabited island it stands on; it was initially built of rubblestone in 1808. It has since been replaced with one made of granite
blocks. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, Wood Island Light is Maine's second-oldest lighthouse and the nation's
eleventh-oldest. Its white light beaming 71 feet above the ocean, can be best seen from the East Point Audubon Sanctuary
walking trail in Biddeford Pool. Summer tours by boat are offered by the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, leaving from
Vine's Landing.
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