Fort Point Lighthouse
Penobscot Bay North

Fort Point Lighthouse Fun Facts Location: Entrance to Penobscot River Closest City: Stockton Springs, Maine Latitude: 44.4675    Longitude: -68.8118 Body of Water: Penobscot River Open to Public: Yes Station Established: 1837 Present Tower Activated: 1857 Status of Light: Operational Tower Height: 31 ft. Optic: Fourth Order Fresnel, 1837 National Register Reference #: 87002269 Listing Name: Fort Point Light Station  View Fort Point Lighthouse:  Accommodations  -  Boat Tours

Back in its heyday, the Fort Point lighthouse, along with the lights at Eagle Island and Dice Head, helped guide up to 200 ships a week back and forth along the mouth of the Penobscot River. For a period of time in the mid-1800s, Bangor, Maine was the busiest port in the world. In 1860, over 3300 vessels arrived at the port during the nine months the waterway isn't frozen. Twenty four miles south of the harbor in Stockton Springs, the Fort Point lighthouse has served to guide mariners for over 160 years. By order of the Lighthouse Board, the original granite tower built in 1837 was replaced by a 31 foot, square, brick tower (similar to the Grindle Point light in Islesboro) 20 years later. The tower is barely taller than the 1.5 story, colonial cape, L-shaped, wooden keeper's residence that was constructed at the same time. Located on a high bluff, however, the height of focal plane is 88 feet above sea level. The tower and residence are connected via a short passageway. View the Interactive Map The Fort Point station is quite well preserved. It is one of the few in New England to still have its original fog bell tower, which was constructed in 1890. The bell has been replaced by a fog horn but is still on display at the site. The station also hosts a barn (1890) and brick oil house (1897). The original fourth order Fresnel lens is still in use. Fort Point was one of the last manually operated lights, not being automated until 1988. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands owns the site and it is located in Fort Point State Park along with the remains of Fort Pownall, a mid-1700s colonial fort. The grounds and tower are open to the public and available for tours (207-567-3356 or 207-941-4014).  View Fort Point Lighthouse:  Accommodations  -  Boat Tours