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Hendricks Head Lighthouse Fun Facts
Location: Southport Island
Closest City: West Southport, Maine
Latitude: 43.8234 Longitude: -69.69
Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean /
Mouth of Sheepscot River
Open to Public: No
Station Established: 1829
Present Tower Activated: 1875
Status of Light: Operational
Tower Height: 39 ft.
Optic: 250mm, 1979
Fifth Order Fresnel, 1875
National Register Reference #: 87002024
Listing Name: Hendricks Head Light Station
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The first Hendricks Head lighthouse tower, built in 1829, stood atop the original granite keeper's quarters. By 1875, the entire structure was replaced by a new two story, Victorian keeper's residence with a separate 39 foot, square, cylindrical, whitewashed, brick tower with black gallery and lantern. The station stands on the east side of the mouth of the Sheepscot River on the west side of Southport Island six miles from Boothbay. Other buildings still on site include a barn (1880), a pyramid-shaped fog bell tower, a brick oil house (1895), two cisterns, a garage, and a storage building.
Of particular note in the long history of the Hendricks Head lighthouse is a shipwreck that occurred nearby shortly after the Civil War. A schooner was attempting to sail the Sheepscot River when it got caught in a vicious Maine blizzard and ran into a shoal. The station's keeper struggled in vain to launch a dory to assist those on board but was not able to overcome the violent surf. The best he could do was start a bonfire to signal the crew and passengers on board that they had at least been seen. Just when the keeper was sure all aboard had frozen to death or drowned, he spotted some sort of bundle floating atop the tossing waves. He and his wife pulled what turned out to be a mattress onto the shore. Astonishingly, they heard crying coming from within. They chipped away the ice and tore open the mattress to find a small sea chest inside of which was a baby and a note from the schooner's captain explaining that he and his wife had "committed her into God's hands".
As a cost saving move, the government decommissioned the Hendricks Head lighthouse in 1933 and sold the station to a private party. The light remained dark until 1951 when the owners brought electricity to the island, after which the Coast Guard recommissioned the light. The light was automated in 1975. In 1978, a ferocious storm destroyed the covered walkway between the house and the fog bell tower as well as the boathouse. The original fifth-order Fresnel lens was replaced by a modern 250mm optic in 1979.
The Hendricks Head lighthouse station remains private property and is used year-round as a residence. The entire site is closed to the public but great views can be had via numerous local boat cruises and from the beach near West Southport.
Lighthouse Accessibility
- This site is privately owned and closed to the public.
- The lighthouse can be viewed from several local boat tours.
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