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Pond Island Lighthouse Fun Facts
Location: Kennebec River Mouth
Closest City: Popham Beach, Maine
Latitude: 43.74 Longitude: -69.77
Body of Water: Atlantic Ocean
Open to Public: Site: Yes, September - March
Tower: No
Station Established: 1821
Present Tower Activated: 1855
Status of Light: Operational
Tower Height: 20 ft.
Optic: 250mm,
Fifth Order Fresnel,
National Register Reference #: Not Listed
Listing Name: N/A
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The Pond Island lighthouse stands southeast of Popham Beach on the west side of the entrance to the Kennebec River. Popham Beach is named after one of the first captains to sail his ship to North America, Captain John Popham. He and Captain Raleigh Gilbert commanded the ships Mary and John and Gift of God which landed in the Popham Beach area in August of 1607, thirteen years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. North America's first ocean-worthy vessel was built in the Popham area to take these first settlers back to England after their first harrowing Maine winter.
The existing 20 foot, cylindrical, white brick Pond Island lighthouse tower was built on a granite block foundation in 1855, replacing the original tower constructed in 1821. The lantern is black and houses a 250mm, solar-powered lens which replaced the fifth-order Fresnel installed when the tower was built. The 1.5-story, wooden, cape cod-style keeper's residence, also built in 1855, was demolished when the light was automated in 1963.
All that remains of the Pond Island lighthouse is the tower. The light is still an active aid to navigation. The site is managed by the Maine Audubon Society as the lighthouse is part of the Pond Island National Wildlife Sanctuary. The station is open to the public from September through March each year but is accessible only by boat and is difficult to reach. The light can be seen with binoculars from the Popham Beach area. Numerous local boat tours in the area, including cruises from the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, pass the station often and offer great photo opportunities.
Lighthouse Accessibility
- This site (excluding the tower) is open to the public
Septemeber through March.
- The lighthouse can be viewed from several local boat tours
and can be seen distantly from the shore in Popham Beach.
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