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Goat Island Lighthouse Fun Facts
Location: Goat Island / Cape Porpoise Harbor
Closest City: Kennebunkport, Maine
Latitude: 43.3583 Longitude: -70.4249
Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
Open to Public: Site: Yes
Tower: No
Station Established: 1835
Present Tower Activated: 1859
Status of Light: Operational
Tower Height: 25 ft.
Optic: 300mm, 1990
Fifth Order Fresnel, 1850s
National Register Reference #: 87002268
Listing Name: Goat Island Light Station
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The current 25 foot, white, cylindrical masonry Goat Island lighthouse tower with black lantern and fifth order Fresnel lens was built in 1859, replacing the original tower that was constructed in 1822.
The site is located on Goat Island east of Kennebunkport at the entrance to Cape Porpoise Harbor, so named for the schools of porpoises that used to gather there.
The 1.5 story, colonial cape-style, L-shaped keeper's residence built in 1860 remains at the site and is occupied by a caretaker during the tourist season. Also on site are a wooden boat house (1905), a brick oil house (1907), and a launchway. A walkway between the keeper's house and the tower was previously covered (see picture above) but is now exposed. The site's fog signal building has been destroyed. A fog horn is still used and blasts every 15 seconds. A previous fog bell is on display at the Kennebunkport Historical Society.
The Goat Island lighthouse was automated in 1990, leaving the Boston lighthouse as the only keeper-tended lighthouse in the country. The lens was also updated with a 300mm optic in 1990. Ownership of the site was transferred to the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust in 1998 under the Maine Lights Program. While accessible only by boat, the site (not including the tower as the light is still an active aid to navigation) is open to the public (207-967-5174).
Lighthouse Accessibility
- This site is open to the public (207-967-5174) but
accessible only by boat.
- The lighthouse can be viewed from the fishing pier at the
end of Pier Rd. in Kennebunkport.
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