Cape Neddick Light facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Cape Neddick Light

The Cape Neddick Light in 2017
Cape Neddick Light Location in Maine
Location	Cape Neddick, Maine
Coordinates	43°9′54.733″N 70°35′27.943″W / 43.16520361°N 70.59109528°W / 43.16520361; -70.59109528
Year first constructed	1879
Automated	1987
Foundation	Concrete
Construction	Cast iron plate with brick lining
Tower shape	Cylindrical
Markings / pattern	White with black lantern
Focal height
Original lens	Fourth order Fresnel
Range	13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi)
Characteristic	Isophase Red 6s. Lighted throughout 24 hours.
Fog signal	HORN: 1 every 10s
USCG number	1-125

Nubble Light & Island from the air, 2015

The Cape Neddick Light is a famous lighthouse located in Cape Neddick, which is part of York, Maine. People often call it "Nubble Light" or just "the Nubble." In 1874, the U.S. Congress approved $15,000 to build a light station here. Construction started in 1879.

The U.S. Lighthouse Service officially opened the Cape Neddick Light Station in 1879. It has been helping ships navigate ever since. The tower is built with a brick lining and covered with cast iron plates. It stands 41 feet (12 m) (about 12.5 meters) tall. However, the light itself is 88 feet (27 m) (about 27 meters) above sea level. This is because it sits on a very steep and rocky island.

A cool detail about this lighthouse is found on the walkway around the lantern room. The posts holding the railing are decorated with tiny 4-inch (100 mm) brass copies of the lighthouse itself!

Where is Nubble Light?

The Cape Neddick Light stands on a small piece of land called Nubble Island. This island is about 100 yards (91 m) (about 91 meters) away from Cape Neddick Point.

Cape Neddick Point is located at the northern end of Long Sands Beach in the village of York Beach. You cannot visit the lighthouse island directly. However, there is a park nearby called Sohier Park. From the park, you can get a great view of the lighthouse. The park even has a telescope you can use to see it up close! There's also a gift shop with lots of "Nubble" themed items.

Why is Nubble Light Important?

Nubble Light is a very famous American landmark. It is a classic example of what a lighthouse should look like. It's so well-known that it was even included in a special collection of images. The Voyager spacecraft carries photographs of Earth's most important human-made structures and natural places. If intelligent beings from another planet ever find the spacecraft, they will see a picture of Nubble Light. It is shown alongside famous landmarks like the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.

The Cape Neddick Light is one of the last eight lighthouses in Maine that still uses its original Fresnel lens. This type of lens is very special and helps make the light brighter and more focused. Because of its importance, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 16, 1985. It is listed as the Cape Neddick Light Station.

The lighthouse and its island were also featured in a movie. It appeared in the film Lost Boundaries from 1949, which starred Mel Ferrer.

Interesting Stories About Nubble Light

While we don't know who added the tiny lighthouse decorations, there are many other fun stories about Nubble Light. One story is about a lighthouse keeper and his wife in 1912. They saw how popular the York beaches were with tourists. So, they started a business taking tourists by boat to the island for tours. This business became so busy that the lighthouse was not cared for properly. Because of this, the keeper was eventually fired.

Another keeper lived on the island with his very large cat. This cat weighed 19-pound (8.6 kg) (about 8.6 kg)! The cat was a big attraction for visitors. People even said it would swim across the water to visit its friends on the mainland.

Life at the lighthouse wasn't always easy, especially in winter. The Nubble is a very windy place. In cold weather, the temperature would drop so low that the lamp oil would not flow correctly to the light. This problem was fixed in 1938 when the lamp was changed to run on electricity. That same year, the keeper and his family also got indoor plumbing in their home.

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