Goose Rocks Light facts for kids
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| US Coast Guard photo | |
 Goose Rocks Light
Location in Maine
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| Location | North Haven, Maine |
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| Coordinates | 44°8′7.5″N 68°49′50.4″W / 44.135417°N 68.830667°W |
| Year first constructed | 1890 |
| Automated | 1963 |
| Foundation | cast iron and concrete caisson |
| Construction | cast iron |
| Tower shape | sparkplug |
| Markings / pattern | white with black base and trim |
| Focal height | |
| Original lens | 4th order Fresnel |
| Current lens | 9.8 inches (250 mm) |
| Range | 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) & 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 6s with R sector |
| Fog signal | HORN: 1 every 10s |
| USCG number | 1-3885 |
The Goose Rocks Light is a cool sparkplug lighthouse located near North Haven, Maine. You can find it in Penobscot Bay. This lighthouse stands at the eastern entrance to the Fox Islands Thoroughfare. This thoroughfare is a busy, mile-wide passage. It separates the islands of North Haven and Vinalhaven.
Built in 1890, Goose Rocks Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. It was listed as the Goose Rocks Light Station. Today, a special group owns the lighthouse. It still works as an important aid to navigation, helping boats find their way.
Contents
About Goose Rocks Light
Where is This Lighthouse?
The town of North Haven is on a large island in the middle of Penobscot Bay. This island has many small bays and peninsulas. Just south of North Haven is Vinalhaven. These two are the main islands of the Fox Islands group. The Fox Island Thoroughfare separates them.
Goose Rocks is a rocky area. It sits between Stimpson Island (part of North Haven) and Widows Island (part of Vinalhaven). This spot is at the eastern end of the Thoroughfare.
How Does It Look?
Goose Rocks Light is a "sparkplug lighthouse." This means it's a tall, narrow tower. It has four levels and gets narrower as it goes up. The walls are made of strong cast iron plates. These plates sit on a concrete base.
The second level inside the lighthouse was once the keeper's home. The very top part, the fourth level, holds the light itself. The tower is painted white. It has a black base and black trim, making it easy to spot.
A Look Back: Its History
The Goose Rocks Light Station was built in 1890. This was an important time for the area. Vinalhaven had big granite quarries. Both North Haven and Vinalhaven were popular spots for summer visitors. The lighthouse helped guide ships carrying granite and people.
Automation and New Owners
In 1963, the light became "automated." This means machines took over running the light. There was no longer a need for a lighthouse keeper living there.
In the 1990s, the lighthouse was no longer needed by the government. There was a plan to give it to the town of North Haven. But this plan didn't happen. In 2006, a non-profit group called Beacon Preservation bought it.
Even though it's privately owned, the United States Coast Guard still takes care of the light itself. It continues to be an active aid to navigation. This means it still helps boats safely navigate the waters.
