The following poem about Matinicus Rock Light was written by Hilda Thompson of Damariscotta, Maine, and appeared in the January 23, 1939 edition of the Rockland Courier Gazette… Twenty miles from …
Historical
Watching Over the Lights
We just celebrated the 231st anniversary of our nation’s Lighthouse Service on August 7th – and what a storied history it is. The rich traditions and legacies that have come to embody “keeping a good …
National Lighthouse Day – August 7th
Each year countless people look forward to the date of August 7th – and with good reason. Our nation’s lighthouse heritage not only traces its roots back to this historic day in 1789, it also is a …
Visitors at Lighthouses
Visiting lighthouses eighty-plus years ago was not nearly as prevalent as it is today. It was not that the public did not have a fascination with lighthouses and their keepers – for they certainly …
Aberrations of Audibility of Fog-Signals
The following information about oddities related to fog signals was published in the government publication, The Modern Light-House Service, 1890, by Arnold Burges Johnson, Chief Clerk, United States …
Recalling Fourth of July Festivities at Matinicus Rock Light
We are well familiar with the fact that on July 2, 1776, the American Colonies declared their independence from Britain. The very next day the Continental Congress revised the declaration penned by an …
Four-Footed “Tour Guide” at Portland Head Light
For those who visit lighthouses today, we have become quite accustomed – and very appreciative, of all of the hardworking volunteers and staff that open our historic sentinels to the public. Thanks to …
Keeper at West Quoddy Head Deploys the Tried-and-True
The following news story appeared in the Boston Globe on April 22, 1932. The account appeared under the newspaper’s column, entitled, “Odd Items from Everywhere.” At the time, Eugene N. Larrabee …
Lighthouse Disabled
The following news story, entitled "Lighthouse Disabled," appeared in the Daily Kennebec Journal on February 7, 1903. At the time, Samuel John Cavanor was keeper of Ram Island Lighthouse. Keeper …
Heron Neck Lightkeeper Disoriented in Fog
Fog has long been the bane of the mariner. The misty vapor can blot out all visibility, and in doing so, conceal navigational hazards lurking nearby in the vicinity. Many a shipwreck has occurred …