Burnt Coat Harbor Light facts for kids
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| Location | Blue Hill Bay, Maine |
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| Coordinates | 44°08′03.2″N 68°26′50.2″W / 44.134222°N 68.447278°W |
| Year first constructed | 1872 |
| Automated | 1975 |
| Tower shape | Square Brick Tower |
| Markings / pattern | White |
| Focal height | 75 feet (23 m) |
| Range | 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) |
| Characteristic | Oc W 4s |
| Fog signal | none |
The Burnt Coat Harbor Light Station is a cool lighthouse located on Swan's Island, Maine. It sits on a spot called Hockamock Head. This is right at the entrance to Burnt Coat Harbor. People sometimes call it the Swan's Island Lighthouse. This lighthouse helps guide boats safely into the harbor. It was built a long time ago, in 1872. It is a great example of an old lighthouse. It was even added to a special list called the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
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What is the Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse?
The lighthouse area has the main tower and three other buildings. These are the keeper's house, a bell house, and an oil house. They are all on about 3 acres of land. This land is at the very end of Hockamock Point.
The Lighthouse Tower
The tower itself is made of square bricks. It stands about 32 feet tall. At the top, there is a ten-sided room for the light. This room is surrounded by an iron walkway with a railing. A round vent sits on top of the tower.
Other Buildings at the Station
The keeper's house is shaped like an "L". It is made of wood and painted white. Just south of the tower, you will find the small bell house. It is a square building with a sloped roof. It has a doorway at one end. The oil house is a small brick building. It also has a doorway at one end and a small vent on its roof.
A Look Back in Time
The plan for this lighthouse was approved in 1871. The tower and the keeper's house were finished the next year. At first, the station had a second light. This second light was where the bell house is now. A covered path connected the two towers. That second tower and the path were taken down in 1884. The oil house was built in 1895. The bell house was built later, in 1911.
Modern Times at the Lighthouse
The lighthouse became "automated" in 1975. This means machines took over the work of the lighthouse keepers. The keeper's house is now looked after by the Town of Swan's Island. A group called Friends of the Swan's Island Lighthouse helps with money. The keeper's house is open in the summer. It has a history exhibit and a small art gallery. You can also climb the tower on certain days each week.
If you want to learn more, you can visit their website. It has a detailed history. You can even see live webcams from the tower. It also gives tips for visiting the lighthouse. The website is www.burntcoatharborlight.com.
See also
