Monhegan Island Light facts for kids
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| Location | Monhegan Island, Maine |
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| Coordinates | 43°45′53″N 69°18′57″W / 43.76483°N 69.31576°W |
| Year first lit | 1850 (current structure) |
| Automated | 1959 |
| Foundation | Surface rock |
| Construction | Granite blocks |
| Tower shape | Cylindrical Tower |
| Markings / pattern | Lt. List says White, but photos show unpainted light gray-brown granite |
| Focal height | 178 feet (54 m) |
| Original lens | VRB-25 |
| Range | 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 15s |
| Fog signal | 1854: Bell 1870: Manana Island Sound Signal Station |
Monhegan Island Light is a famous lighthouse located on Monhegan Island in Maine. It first started guiding ships in 1824. The lighthouse you see today was built in 1850. A famous architect named Alexander Parris designed it. This lighthouse is the second tallest in Maine. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's an important historical site.
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About the Monhegan Island Lighthouse
The Monhegan Island Light stands on a hill. This hill is near the center of Monhegan Island. The lighthouse area includes several buildings. These are the main tower, the keeper's house, a storage building, and an oil house.
The Lighthouse Tower
The tower is round and made from strong granite blocks. Its walls are sloped, making it very sturdy. The tower is about 47 feet (14 meters) tall. A special lantern house sits on top of the tower. A small brick building with a pointed roof is attached to the tower's south side.
Other Buildings at the Site
The storage building is a simple wooden structure. It has one story. The oil house is a small brick building. It also has a pointed roof. The keeper's house is a one-and-a-half-story wooden building. This house now serves as the Monhegan Museum.
History of the Light Station
The United States Congress approved the building of this light station in 1822. It began working in 1824. The current tower was built later, in 1850. In 1959, the lighthouse became automated. This means it no longer needed a person to operate it.
The light is now controlled remotely. It is managed from the Manana Island Sound Signal Station. This station was once part of the Monhegan Light Station. However, it has been managed separately since 1874.
The Monhegan Museum
The buildings at the lighthouse are now home to the Monhegan Museum. This museum shares the island's story. You can learn about its nature, people, industries, culture, and art.
The U.S. Coast Guard still operates the light inside the tower. But the Monhegan Museum owns the tower itself. They sometimes open the tower to visitors. This allows people to explore inside during certain times of the year.
See also
