Down East Lights

Lighthouses in Prospect Harbor and beyond were built as beacons of safety to endure storm, tide, and wave, combining 19th century engineering and design in hewn rock foundations, spiral staircases, sloping conical towers, and Fresnel lens that focused the light of a small flame or bulb into a beam shining for miles. Prospect Harbor's light casts a red beam for 7 miles and a white beam for 9 miles. Often working in remote and isolated locations, lighthouse keepers tended the light, polished the lens, sounded the fog horn, assisted in rescues, and at one time at Prospect Harbor needed to wind the light's rotating mechanism every two hours. Petit Manan Light, established in 1817 and lying 2.5 miles offshore, has a present granite lighthouse with a brick lining built in 1855, was automated in 1972, and at 123 feet is Maine's second-tallest lighthouse. Schoodic's lighthouses may be viewed from the byway and various points around the peninsula, although none are open to the public, and Prospect Harbor Light was commissioned by George Washington.

Gouldsboro, Maine · United States