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Doubling Point Range Lights Fun Facts
Location: Arrowsic Island
Closest City: Arrowsic, Maine
Latitude: 43.8833 Longitude: -69.7949
Body of Water: Kennebec River
Open to Public: Site: Yes (with caretaker permission)
Tower: No
Station Established: 1898
Present Tower Activated: 1898
Status of Light: Operational
Tower Height: 13 ft.
Optic: 250mm, 1990
Fifth Order Reflector, 1898
National Register Reference #: 87002263
Listing Name: Kennebec River Light Station
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The Doubling Point range lights, commonly referred to as the Kennebec River range lights, are located near Bath in Maine on the Kennebec River. As with the several of the other Kennebec River lighthouses (Doubling Point, Squirrel Point, Perkins Island), the Doubling Point range lights were first lit in 1898 and the towers are of wooden construction, painted white, and octagonal in shape. Unlike the other light stations in the area, however, this site has two towers, both thirteen feet in height. One of the towers is located near the shore while the other sits atop a more elevated position fifteen feet higher and over 200 yards back. The lights are located such that mariners can be assured of safe passage by aligning their vessels in a single straight line to both lights.
The Doubling Point range lights station also has a two story, wooden, L-shaped keeper's residence (1898), a fuel house (1897), a boathouse (1901) and a brick oil house (1902). Separate walkways connect the keeper's house to the shore light and the shore light to the elevated light. The original fifth order reflector lamps were replaced by modern 250mm optics in 1990. One of the original lamps was transferred to the Rockland Harbor Southwest lighthouse. Both lights were automated in 1980. The Coast Guard refurbished the elevated tower in 1996. Ownership of the site was transferred to a non-profit preservation group named the Range Light Keepers in 1998 under the Maine Lights Program.
The towers are closed to the public but the site can be accessed with permission from the caretaker who lives in the keeper's residence. Access is only available by boat or dirt road on Arrowsic Island. Great views of the site can be had from local boat tours including cruises offered by the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath.
Lighthouse Accessibility
- This site (excluding the tower) is open to the public but
permission from the caretaker must be received prior to
accessing the site.
- The lighthouse can be viewed from several local boat tours.
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