LIGHTHOUSES OF THE MAINE BEACHES
Boon Island Light
Boon Island , Cape Neddick , York GPS : Latitude 43.1214 ° Longitude -70.4764 ° Boon Island Light ' s storied past includes the stuff of movies : shipwrecks , cannibalism , and human survival . The 25-five-foot tall tower was first erected in 1811 under President James Madison . In 1831 a new , 49-foot-tall granite tower with an octagonal wrought-iron lantern was built . Because this structure did not hold up well to the harsh elements six miles out to sea , a 133-foot-tall granite tower was erected in 1855 . Boon Island Light is 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 Light “ Nubble Lighthouse ”
Sohier Park Rd ., York GPS : 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 Light ( original spelling ) was completed and began protecting the maritime trade up and down the Maine coast .
Nearly 100 years later , the Nubble Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places . Considered 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 ( parking here is free ), or via a lighthouse cruise ; there is no public access to the island .
Goat Island Lighthouse
Goat Island , Cape Porpoise , Kennebunkport GPS : Latitude 43.3583 ° Longitude -70.4249 ° Perched on Goat Island ' s south end , Goat Island Lighthouse is an iconic sight in Cape Porpoise . Initially built in 1833 of split stone , the 20-foot-high tower was replaced in 1859 by the slightly larger painted brick version that is visible today .
In 2011 , through the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust ' s generous efforts , the light was restored to its 1950s state . The light was the last of the Maine lighthouses to host a U . S . Coast Guard keeper . During the summer , the keeper ' s quarters are home to volunteer keepers ; please be mindful that it is a private residence . Visitors can view the light from Cape Porpoise or visit by boat near the high tide .
Whaleback Lighthouse
Piscataqua River Entrance , Kittery Point GPS : 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 .
Erected in 1831 , the original Whaleback Lighthouse was so poorly constructed that , just five years later , it was apparent it would need to be rebuilt . Amazingly the original building 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 . The best view of the light is from Fort Foster in Kittery Point .
Wood Island Lighthouse
Wood Island , Biddeford Pool GPS : Latitude 43.4569 ° Longitude -70.3291 ° Wood Island Lighthouse sits in Saco Bay , outside the entrance to Biddeford Pool and the mouth 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 secondoldest and the nation ' s eleventh-oldest lighthouse . Its white light beams 71 feet above the ocean . The best view is from the walking trail at East Point Audubon Sanctuary in Biddeford Pool . The Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse offers summer tours by boat , leaving from Vine ' s Landing .
Maine Open Lighthouse Day
Celebrated on the second Saturday of September each year , the day offers visitors the opportunity to explore and learn more about Maine ’ s many shoreline guardians . These Maine Beaches area lighthouses are usually available for a visit : Goat Island Lighthouse and Wood Island Lighthouse . Learn more at
LighthouseFoundation . org .
Other Nearby Lighthouses
Greater Portland Area – Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse – Portland Head Lighthouse – Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Portsmouth , New Hampshire Area – Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse – White Island Lighthouse •
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