Bass Harbor Head Light facts for kids
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 Bass Harbor Head Light
Location in Maine
Bass Harbor Head Light
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tremont, Maine |
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| Coordinates | 44°13′18.5″N 68°20′14.2″W / 44.221806°N 68.337278°W |
| Year first constructed | 1858 |
| Year first lit | 1858 |
| Automated | 1974 |
| Foundation | Stone |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Cylindrical tower |
| Markings / pattern | White with black marking |
| Focal height | 56 feet (17 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth Order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | Fourth Order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi) |
| Characteristic | Occulting red, 4s |
| Fog signal | none |
| USCG number | 1-2335 |
The Bass Harbor Head Light is a famous lighthouse found in Acadia National Park. It stands tall on the southwest side of Mount Desert Island in Maine. This lighthouse helps guide ships safely into Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay.
History of the Lighthouse
The idea for Bass Harbor Head Light started in 1855. People decided a lighthouse was really needed at the entrance to Bass Harbor. In 1885, the U.S. Congress gave $5,000 to build it. This money helped make the lighthouse a reality.
The lighthouse was finished in 1858. A fog bell and its tower were added in 1876. This bell helped warn ships in foggy weather. Later, in 1898, a much bigger 4,000-pound bell was put in the tower. The house where the lightkeeper lived is still mostly the same. A small 10-foot addition was built onto it in 1900.
In 1902, a brick building was constructed. This building was used to store oil for the lighthouse lamp. It was built about 205 feet away from the main lighthouse.
The original lens inside the lighthouse was a "fifth order" Fresnel lens. In 1902, it was replaced with a larger "fourth order" lens. This new lens was made by a French company called Henry-Lepaute. Amazingly, this same lens is still used in the lighthouse today!
The Bass Harbor Head Light Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 21, 1988. This means it's an important historical site.
Visiting the Lighthouse
Today, the lightkeeper's house is a private home. A member of the Coast Guard and their family live there. Visitors can walk on a concrete path to get close to the bell and the light. However, most of the surrounding area is private property.
There is a short walking trail for visitors. This trail leads to wooden steps. These steps go down to large granite boulders. From these rocks, you can get an amazing view of the lighthouse from the harbor side. It's a great spot for photos!
Lighthouse Keepers
Over the years, many dedicated people have worked as keepers at Bass Harbor Head Light. They made sure the light was always shining.
- John Thurston (1858–1861)
- John Rick (1861–1865)
- John Wilson (1865–1869)
- Charles B. Gilley (1869–1872)
- James L. Wilson (1872–1880)
- C. F. Chase (1880–1890)
- William T. Holbrook (1890–1894)
- Willis Dolliver (1894–1912)
- Joseph M. Gray (c.1921-1938)
- Elmer Reed (1938–1940)
- Eugene L. Coleman (?)
- Cecil A. Mareno (1960s)
- Walter D. Moulton (U.S. Coast Guard, 1962-1963)
- Leverett Stanley (1940–1950)
