Monhegan Island Lighthouse
Muscongus Bay
|
|
Monhegan Island Lighthouse Fun Facts
Closest City: Monhegan, Maine
Latitude: 43.765 Longitude: -69.315
Body of Water: Gulf of Maine
Open to Public: Site: Yes
Tower: No
Station Established: 1824
Present Tower Activated: 1850
Status of Light: Operational
Tower Height: 47 ft.
Optic: VRB-25, Solar Powered, 1995
Second Order Fresnel, 1856
National Register Reference #: 80000239
Listing Name: Monhegan Island
Lighthouse and Quarters
|
|
Monhegan Island, 1.75 miles long by .75 miles wide and rising roughly 200 feet above the ocean, can be seen from forty miles out in the Atlantic, making it a favorite landmark for inbound mariners. This island, located 10 miles south-southwest of of Port Clyde, first had a lighthouse station established in 1824 at a price of $3,000. The 30 foot, rubblestone, conical tower lasted over 26 years until it was replaced in 1850 by the 47 foot, unpainted, gray, granite-block, conical tower with black lantern and red roof that stands at the site today. The new tower, with height of focal plane 178 feet above sea level, was designed by famed Boston architect-engineer Alexander Parris who also designed the Saddleback Ledge and Mount Desert Rock lighthouses.
In 1854, the first of many fog signals was installed at the Monhegan Island lighthouse. The 2,500 pound bell was placed near the lighthouse and required the keeper to manually sound its clapper by hand. Over time, the bell was found to be insufficient, especially in gusty weather, which is quite common along the Maine coast. In 1870, a fog trumpet was installed a half-mile away on Manana Island on the west side of Monhegan Harbor to get the signal closer to the water. This required a telegraph line be installed between the lighthouse and the fog signal. In foggy conditions, the lighthouse keeper pressed a button that activated an electric bell in the fog signal keeper's bedroom, after which the fog signal keeper activated the trumpet. This fog signal was deemed insufficient as well. Several additional replacements occurred over the years, finally resulting in the diaphone horn used presently.
In 1856, the Lighthouse Board had the lamp-and-reflectors beacon at the Monhegan Island lighthouse replaced with a powerful second order Fresnel lens. In 1874, the existing 1.5 story, gothic revival-style, wood frame keeper's house was constructed. The site also sports a chicken coop, catwalk, storage building, cistern, and oil house (1893). The station was automated by the Coast Guard in 1959 when an electric light, powered by a generator and operated remotely from the fog station, was installed. The Fresnel lens was replaced in 1995 with a 170,000 candlepower, solar-powered VRB-25 aerobeacon. In 1998, replicas of the assistant keeper's quarters and nearby storage shed were constructed for historical purposes to replace the originals (1857) which were destroyed in 1922.
Upon automating the station, the Coast Guard determined the Monhegan Island lighthouse keeper's residence and surrounding buildings were unnecessary and should be sold or demolished. Monhegan Associates, a private organization dedicated to preserving all facets of life on the island, acquired these structures. The keeper's residence has been turned into the Monhegan Historical and Cultural Museum, which also owns and manages the site. The original fog bell and other cultural and historical artifacts from the area are on display from July 1 through Labor Day.
Camping is prohibited on the island. Visitors without island accommodations must depart before the last boat leaves each day. The island can be accessed via ferry boat out of Port Clyde, Boothbay Harbor, or New Harbor.
Lighthouse Accessibility
- Monhegan Island can be accessed via ferry boat.
|
|
|
