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Whaleback Ledge Lighthouse Fun Facts
Location: Portsmouth Harbor
Closest City: Kittery Point, Maine
Latitude: 43.0583 Longitude: -70.6967
Body of Water: Piscataqua River
Open to Public: No
Station Established: 1820
Present Tower Activated: 1872
Status of Light: Operational
Tower Height: 50 ft.
Optic: DCB-224,
Third Order Fresnel, 1871
National Register Reference #: 87002278
Listing Name: Whaleback Light Station
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The original Whaleback Ledge lighthouse started its watch over the mouth of the Piscataqua River on the Maine side of the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor in 1831. An inspector's report in th 1840s noted numerous structural shortcomings in the tower and recommended it be replaced immediately. The federal government, however, ignored the report and even added a new fourth order Fresnel lens and lantern in 1855 and a new fog signal in 1859. It was not until 1869 that Congress approved the funding for a replacement. The new 50 foot granite block structure, designed by famed Boston architect/engineer Alexander Parris, was built right next to the first tower and completed 1872. The original tower was dismantled down to its base which was used to house a new Daboll trumpet fog signal.
The second tower still stands today, as does the base of the original structure. The three story keeper's residence is located inside the tower. The light was automated in 1963. The Fresnel lens was replaced by a DCB-224 optic which was itself replaced by a VRB-25 aerobeacon in 2002. The light was converted to solar power in 2003. The light remains an active aid to navigation and is closed to the public but can be seen from Boat tours out of the Portsmouth area.
Lighthouse Accessibility
- This site is closed to the public.
- A local boat tour may pass near the site.
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