Some traditions tarry through time and are simply observed, while others rekindle our spirits with a vibrant joy that is undiminished by familiarity. A decorated Cape Neddick Lighthouse – or Nubble …
Portland Head Light’s Christmas Wreath
As Maine’s oldest sentinel, the 1791 Portland Head Light has presided over much in the way of history. Marking the entrance to Portland Harbor, the venerable beacon has stood a faithful watch during …
Thanksgiving at The Rock
I was thinking how very different Thanksgiving 2020 feels compared to holidays in years gone by, and how – in some strange way, it mirrors aspects of many a Thanksgiving Day at offshore lighthouses …
Doubling Point: A Light’s Short Move
When one pours over early historical documents related to our nation’s lighthouses, there is ample evidence that a number of lights were considered inferiorly constructed, many were poorly equipped, …
Fresnel Lens Claim at Libby Island Light
The following small mention about the origins of a Fresnel lens that was claimed to have been installed in Libby Island Lighthouse appeared in the January 22, 1898 edition of the Lewiston Sunday …
Dyce Head Light Presides Over Glimmerings of History
Each of Maine’s lighthouses have their own special “personality.” Some reach for lofty heights of awe, others preside stoutly over the incessant surge of the sea, while still others are embraced by …
West Quoddy Head Light’s Crystalline Treasure
The stately appearance of a lighthouse is something to behold. Such majesty is magnified even further when a sentinel is still wearing its “crown” of crystalline in the form of a Fresnel lens. The …
A Sense of Place at Rockland Breakwater
Journey up and down the Maine coast for any length of time and you will discover there is no place quite like Rockland Harbor. This important harbor is as authentic as its people – hardworking, …
LEDs are the New Wave of Beacons for Lighthouses
Climb to the top of a Maine lighthouse and one is bound to be astounded by the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding seascape. However, as time marches on and a wave of change rolls in with the tide, …
Coastguardsman Recalls Storms at Bass Harbor Head Light
The picturesque Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, located along the southwestern side of Mount Desert Island in the village of Bass Harbor, exudes a feeling of serenity – presiding over a seascape of pure …