A small lantern was placed at Jameson Point at the entrance to Rockland Harbor in 1827. As Rockland became a leading port for export of limerock in the late 19th century, it became apparent that a lighthouse was necessary. The 0.8-mile-long stone jetty was built between 1881 and 1899; as the work progressed in piecemeal fashion, dependent upon allocation of funds, the small beacon was moved further out as the breakwater extended. In 1902 a permanent lighthouse was built at the breakwater's end and a 25-foot brick tower was added atop the roof of the brick keeper's house. A fourth-lens was installed. The light was automated in 1964 and in 1973 the Coast Guard announced plans to raze the structure. This news was not well received, prompting the nearby Samoset Resort to assume partial responsibility for upkeep of the dwelling. However, in 1989 the resort relinquished its involvement. Major renovations were completed in 1990.

The lighthouse is now owned by the city of Rockland and leased to the Friends of Rockland Breakwater, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. The Friends group is raising money to restore the lighthouse in hopes of eventually opening it as a living history museum. There is a small park near the beginning of the breakwater, the Marie H. Reed Breakwater Park. There are granite seats and a nice grassy area to enjoy a picnic lunch.

Although the walk along the breakwater takes you directly to the lighthouse, best views and photographs are from the water. Ferries from Rockland pass this light as do area excursion boats and schooners.

Directions: From Route 1, turn onto Waldo Avenue (�Samoset Resort� sign). Continue for about 0.5 mile, turning right at Samoset Road. The road ends at parking area. The breakwater, to the left of a small park area, leads about 0.8 mile to the lighthouse. The Maine State Ferries from Rockland to Vinalhaven and North Haven pass close to this light. Additionally, Rockland is home to many of Maine's windjammers. A trip aboard any of these vessels takes you by Rockland Breakwater Light and other lighthouses in Penobscot Bay.

The growing lime trade in nearby Rockland and Thomaston warranted construction of a lighthouse on Owls Head at the entrance to Rockland Harbor. The land for the lighthouse was purchased from the heirs of Nathaniel Merryman on Nov. 11, 1824, and President John Quincy Adams authorized the work in 1825. It was first lit on Sept. 25, 1825.

The 20-foot brick tower is unusually short; the height of the promontory made a tall lighthouse unnecessary, still putting the light at 100 feet above sea level. A fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed in 1856.

Legend tells that, during a storm in December 1850, a small schooner from Massachusetts broke loose from its mooring at Jameson Point and headed across Penobscot Bay toward Owls Head. The captain had gone ashore leaving the mate, a seaman and one passenger aboard. As the storm intensified, the vessel smashed into the rocky ledges south of the lighthouse; the three on board huddled together, wrapped in blankets against the freezing surf.

As the schooner broke apart, the seaman left the vessel, managed to get ashore and reached the road to the lighthouse. The keeper happened to be driving by in a sleigh, took the dazed man to his house and learned of the others still at sea. A rescue party located the schooner and found a block of ice enveloping the mate and passenger. After bringing the block ashore, carefully chipping away the ice and slowly warming the victims, both revived. The mate, Richard Ingraham and passenger, Lydia Dyer, were later married. The seaman died soon after the wreck.

Another well-known tale associated with Owls Head Light is that of springer spaniel, Spot. The dog learned to pull the fog bell rope with his teeth when he saw an approaching vessel. Boats would answer with a whistle or bell and Spot would bark in reply. One stormy night in the 1890s, the mailboat from Matinicus was headed toward Owls Head. The fog bell rope was buried in the snow but Spot's constant barking warned the captain in time to guide his vessel around the peninsula, clear the rocks, and sound a whistle to acknowledge safe passage. The spaniel is buried on the hillside near the former location of the fog bell.

The 1854 keeper's house remains a residence for Coast Guard personnel and the surrounding grounds are now a state park, covered in tall pines. The bell tower is gone but the 1895 oil house remains. The lighthouse is easily accessible with parking nearby; ferries and excursion boats also pass the light.

Directions: From Route 1 in Thomaston/Rockland, turn south onto Route 73 and continue about two miles, turning left onto North Shore Drive. Go about 2.5 miles, turning left just past the Owls Head post office, onto Main Street. Continue to Lighthouse Road (marked) and turn left; the road becomes a dirt road and leads to a parking and picnic area. A short walk takes you to the lighthouse. The keeper's house is occupied by a Coast Guard family.

Ferries, harbor tour boats, windjammers and charter boat excursions all pass this light.

Marking the eastern side of the south entrance to Port Clyde Harbor, this lighthouse was built in 1832. At that time the village of Port Clyde was a major port, with granite quarries, shipbuilding facilities and fish canning operations. The initial structure was a 20-foot tall rubblestone tower. In 1857 the present 31-foot brick and granite lighthouse was built with a fifth-order Fresnel lens installed. The lighthouse is connected to the shore by a wooden walkway and resembles the Isle au Haut and Ram Island Lights. A bell tower with 1,000-pound bronze bell was added in 1898 and remained in use until it was replaced by a horn in 1969. The original 1832 keeper's house was destroyed by lightning in 1895 and replaced with the present dwelling.

In 1971 the light was automated, the Fresnel lens removed and a LORAN navigation station set up in the keeper's house. When that equipment became outdated in 1980, the dwelling was boarded up. Subsequently, the property was acquired by the town of St. George. Restoration of the structure was undertaken in 1986 by the Marshall Point Restoration Committee. Grants of more than $100,000 from the National Park Service Bicentennial Lighthouse Fund, matched by the town of St. George and public contributions, were used by the St. George Historical Society to accomplish the restoration. The keeper's house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 and the initial restoration was completed in 1990.

The Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum displays memorabilia relating to the town and three area lighthouses: Tenants Harbor, Whitehead and Marshall Point. Most recently the summer kitchen has been rebuilt as an addition to the museum; future plans include rebuilding of the bell tower and outbuildings.

Museum hours: May & Oct., Sat & Sun only 1-5. June to Sept. daily except Sat. 1-5, Sat 10-5.

Directions: From Camden, follow US RT1 South thru Rockland to ME RT131 South intersection just East of Thomaston (at the Knox Mansion) then go south on ME RT131 to Port Clyde. In Port Clyde, turn left onto Factory Rd. just before the ferry parking lot. Turn right at the first intersection onto Marshall Point Rd. The lighthouse with parking is at the end of this 1/2 mile long road.

Offering at once some of the most majestic, stark and striking scenery on the Maine coast, this lighthouse sits atop unique rock formations. Commissioned in 1827 by John Quincy Adams, this light is located at the west side of the entrance to Muscongus Bay.

The original lighthouse was of faulty construction and therefore replaced by a 38-foot stone tower in 1835; a fourth-order Fresnel lens was added in 1856. A wooden keeper's house replaced the initial stone structure in 1857. The fog bell house and tower were constructed in 1897 and included a hand-cranked mechanism which powered the striking machinery. In 1934 the bell was removed.

During the years 1903-1917 four major shipwrecks occurred on the rocks at Pemaquid Point, most notable among them the British vessel Angel Gabriel. The light, visible on a clear day for 14 miles, was the first in Maine to be automated in 1934. The keeper's house now houses the Fishermen's Museum which is operated by the town of Bristol, displaying artifacts of Maine lighthouses and the fishing/lobster industry. A park area is adjacent to the lighthouse grounds, easily accessible with parking.

The tower is now under the care of the American Lighthouse Foundation.

Directions: From Route 1 in Damariscotta, turn onto ME 129/130, then follow Route 130 south to its end at Pemaquid Point. Alternatively, from Route 1 in Waldoboro, turn south onto Route 32 and follow that route through New Harbor to the junction with Route 130. Turn south (left) onto Route 130 and follow the road to its end at Pemaquid Point. There is a small fee at the gate. To view the lighthouse by boat, cruises are available out of Boothbay Harbor or from Maine Maritime Museum in Bath.

This area of Cape Elizabeth is known as Two Lights. As early as 1828 two stone towers were in operation, roughly 300 yards apart. In 1874 the two stone towers were replaced with 65 foot cast iron towers, painted brown and fitted with second-order fresnel lenses. In 1924 the government decided to convert all twin-light stations two single towers, so Two Lights western tower was decommissioned.

Today Cape Elizabeth's tower shines the most powerful light in Maine--a 4 million candlepower flashing white light visible for 27 miles. Located in Two Lights State Park, the keeper's house is now a private residence in an excusive neighborhood. In 1999, the gingerbread keeper's house at the active light has been demolished by the owner, to be replaced by a "replica" with a two-car garage added. The lighthouse, which is not privately owned, remains untouched. The remains of the western tower are down the street in someone else's front yard.

Directions: From Portland, follow Route 77 to Cape Elizabeth and Two Lights State Park.

Monhegan Island, 10 miles off the coast of Maine, today is a picturesque summer haven for artists and vacationers. By the time the island was visited by Samuel de Champlain, Captain John Smith, Bartholomew Gosnold and other explorers, it had already been an outpost for many European fishermen. Some believe the Vikings visited the area around 1,000 A.D. and left carvings on the rocks of nearby Manana Island. Others believe the strange engravings were made much earlier.

For many voyagers coming across the Atlantic, Monhegan Island was the first sight of land. By the early 19th century trade in the area was increasing, and in 1824 President James Monroe authorized the building of a lighthouse on Monhegan's highest point for $3,000. Monhegan Island Light is considered a primary seacoast light.

The first Monhegan Island Light was a granite tower with a wooden keeper's house. After much damage from storms the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1850. The 48-foot granite tower built that year still stands. It is very similar to the lighthouse on Whitehead Island, built about the same time. A new two story keeper's house was built in 1874.

In 1856 the original 10 lamps and reflectors were replaced by a powerful second order Fresnel lens. With its light 178 feet above sea level, Monhegan Island Light is the second-highest light in Maine (after Seguin Island).

The Monhegan Historical and Cultural Museum Association has reconstructed the 1857 assistant keeper's house to serve as a museum for their art collection. It is the first time a keeper's house has been reconstructed in Maine.

Monhegan Island Light was converted to solar power in 1995 and is still an active aid to navigation.

Directions: Monhegan Island can be reached by ferry from Port Clyde, New Harbor or Boothbay Harbor. Reaching the lighthouse requires a moderate uphill walk.