Portland Head, ME - $$6.95
Portland Head Light is probably the best known and most photographed light station on the Coast of Maine, and its appeal never diminishes.
Portland Head Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth ME
Portland Head Light is probably the best known and most photographed light station on the Coast of Maine, and its appeal never diminishes. The history of this light goes all the way back to 1784, when locals petitioned the governor of the Bay Colony, John Hancock, for a light. President Washington appointed the first keeper.
The stories surrounding the light station are many and varied, replete with disasters, near disasters, and heroism. The keeper's house is as famous as the tower itself. The current one was built in 1891, and completely restored by 1992, and is now owned by the Town of Cape Elizabeth and operated as a museum.
Portland Head Lighthouse
Portland Head has long protected Portland and the adjacent
area. Cape Elizabeth residents were deeply committed to American
independence from British rule. In 1776, the new Town of Cape
Elizabeth posted a guard of eight soldiers at Portlan
d Head to warn citizens
of coming British attacks.
In 1787, the General Court of Massachusetts (the Massachusetts legislature) provided $750 to begin construction of a lighthouse. In 1790, when the United States Government took over the responsibility of all lighthouses, Congress appropriated $1,500 for its completion. The original tower measured 72' from base to lantern deck and was lit with 16 whale oil lamps. It was first lit on January 10, 1791.
Construction of the first Keeper's Quarters began in 1790 as
the result of a contract signed by Massachusetts Governor John
Hancock. A one story dwelling built to replace the first keeper's
house was erected in 1816. It measured 34' x 20' wi
th two rooms, a cellar and a porch in
the rear.
By 1864 a 4th order Fresnel lens and a cast iron staircase were installed.
By 1865, the tower was raised 20' and a 2nd order Fresnel lens was installed. A portion of this lens may now be seen at the Museum at Portland Head Light. Except for a period between1883 and1885, this lens was in the lighthouse until 1958.
Late on Christmas Eve in 1886, the three masted bark Annie
C. Maguire struck the ledge at Portland Head. Keeper Joshua Strout,
his son, wife, and volunteers rigged an ordinary ladder as a gangplank
between the shore and the ledge the ship was heeled against. Captain
O
'Neil,
the ship's master, his wife, two mates, and the nine man crew
clambered onto the ledge and then to safety . The cause of the
wreck is puzzling since visibility was not a problem. Members
of the crew reported they "plainly saw Portland Light before
the disaster and are unable to account for same."
The current Keepers' Quarters building was constructed in 1891 as a two story duplex. Until 1989, it was home to the head and assistant lighthouse keepers and their families.
Portland Head Light was the responsibility of the United States
Department of the Treasury from 1790 to 1852 when management was
transferred to the US Lighthouse Board. The Board was reorganized
into the Bureau of Lighthouses in 1910. In 1939, aids to navigation
became the responsibility of the United States Coast Guard. On
August 7th, 1989, Petty Officer Davis Simpson struck the US flag
for the last time at the decommissioning ceremony recognizing
the automation of the lighthouse. The property was leased in 1990
to the Town of Cape Elizabeth. Three years later, through the
efforts of United States Senator George Mitchell, the property
was deeded to the Town. The United States Coast Guard maintains
the actual light and the fog signal, but the remainder of the
property is managed by the Town of Cape Elizabeth.
(Excerpted from the Museum Guidebook, compiled by Kathleen
Rummler
from http://www.portlandheadlight.com/park.html)
 |
Two views of the Portland Head Lighthouse downloadable cardmodel sent in by Modeln' Pal Bob Martin. This model is, arguably, our best lighthouse card model |
  |
 |