Isle au Haut Light facts for kids
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 Isle au Haut Light
Location in Maine
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| Location | Isle au Haut, Maine |
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| Coordinates | 44°3′53.076″N 68°39′4.952″W / 44.06474333°N 68.65137556°W |
| Year first constructed | 1907 |
| Automated | 1934 |
| Foundation | Granite blocks |
| Construction | Granite and brick |
| Tower shape | Conical (lower) Cylindrical (upper) |
| Markings / pattern | Lower: gray Upper: white with black lantern |
| Focal height | |
| Original lens | 4th order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | 9.8 inches (250 mm) solar powered |
| Range | White: 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) Red: 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl R 4s with W sector |
| Fog signal | none |
| Admiralty number | J0068 |
| ARLHS number | USA-404 |
| USCG number | 1-3360 |
The Isle au Haut Light, also known as Robinson Point Light, is a lighthouse found at Robinson Point in Isle au Haut, Maine. This important lighthouse began guiding ships in 1907.
Contents
History of Isle au Haut Light
Building the Lighthouse (1907)
The Isle au Haut Light Station, including its tower and other buildings, was built in 1907. The United States Army Corps of Engineers, who are like government builders, constructed it. They built it on a 20-acre piece of land at Robinson Point. This land was bought from Charles E. Robinson.
The lighthouse tower stands about 40 feet tall. It was built a little bit away from the shore. The bottom part is made of granite blocks in a cone shape. The top part is a white cylinder made of granite and brick.
The Keeper's Home and Other Buildings
Next to the tower is the keeper's quarters. This is a two-and-a-half-story house. It is built in a Victorian style with a frame and stucco finish. A special walkway, called a catwalk, connects the house to the lighthouse tower.
Other buildings were also part of the station. These included a boathouse, where boats were kept, an oil house for storing oil, and a storage shed.
Changes Over the Years
In 1934, the lighthouse became "automated." This means machines took over the job of the lighthouse keeper. After this, the government sold most of the property back to the Robinson family. Only the lighthouse tower itself was kept by the government.
The Robinson family used the property as a summer home. Then, in 1986, they sold it to Jeff and Judi Burke. The Burkes turned the keeper's house into a bed and breakfast called "The Keeper's House." They ran this special inn until 2007.
Protecting a Historic Site
The Isle au Haut Light is an important historical place. In 1988, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect special buildings and sites in the United States.
In 1998, the Coast Guard gave the lighthouse to the Town of Isle au Haut. This happened through a program called the Maine Lights Program. The tower was fully repaired and made new again in 1999.
How the Light Works Today
As of 2008, the lighthouse is still working and guiding ships. The light it uses now is a 250-millimeter lens powered by the sun. This light flashes red every four seconds. It also has a white section that shows the safe path for boats.
The original lens, called a fourth-order Fresnel lens, is no longer in the lighthouse. You can see it at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine.
