Pemaquid Point Light facts for kids
| Location | Pemaquid Point, entrance to Muscongus Bay, Bristol, Maine |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°50′13.03″N 69°30′21.77″W / 43.8369528°N 69.5060472°W |
| Year first constructed | 1827 |
| Year first lit | 1857 (current tower) |
| Automated | 1934 |
| Foundation | Natural Emplaced |
| Construction | Rubble stone and concrete |
| Tower shape | conical |
| Markings / pattern | white with black lantern |
| Focal height | 79 feet (24 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi) |
| Characteristic | Flashing white 6 s |
The Pemaquid Point Light is a famous lighthouse in Bristol, Maine, USA. It stands proudly at the very tip of the Pemaquid Neck, guiding ships safely into Muscongus Bay. This historic landmark has been helping sailors for nearly 200 years.
Contents
History of the Pemaquid Point Light
Building the First Lighthouse
The idea for the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse came from President John Quincy Adams in 1827. It was built that same year. However, the first lighthouse wasn't built very well. Workers used salt water when mixing the mortar, which made the building crumble quickly.
A Stronger Second Lighthouse
Because of the problems, a new lighthouse had to be built in 1835. This time, the builders were told to use only fresh water for the mortar. The lighthouse keeper, Isaac Dunham, made sure they followed the rules. He wrote a letter saying the new building was much better.
How the Light Changed Over Time
The first light used a special lamp called an Argand-Lewis parabolic reflector. It was lit with candles and could be seen for about 2 miles. In the 1850s, a new and much better way to focus light was invented by Augustin Fresnel. This invention was called the Fresnel lens.
Most lighthouses in the U.S. switched to these new lenses. Pemaquid Point received its own Fresnel lens in 1856. This lens is still in use today and is one of only six Fresnel lenses left in service in Maine. The keeper's house, where the lighthouse keeper lived, was built in 1857.
A Heroic Lighthouse Keeper
One famous keeper of the Pemaquid Point Light was Marcus A. Hanna. He was a true hero! He received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Civil War in 1863. He also earned the Gold Lifesaving Medal for rescuing people from danger in 1885.
Modernizing the Lighthouse
In 1934, the lighthouse became "automated." This means machines took over the job of lighting and maintaining the light. No human keeper was needed there anymore.
Pemaquid Point on the Maine Quarter
The Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is so special that it was chosen by Maine residents to be on the Maine quarter. This coin was part of a program where each U.S. state got its own quarter. The coin also shows a three-masted schooner, which is a type of sailing ship.
The lighthouse is famous for its beautiful surroundings. The rocks around it go right down to the ocean, creating an amazing view. These rocks are very old, formed over hundreds of millions of years. This unique scenery makes Pemaquid Point one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine. You might have even seen it as a background option in Windows 7!
Who Takes Care of the Lighthouse Today?
The United States Coast Guard owns the lighthouse. However, the American Lighthouse Foundation helps take care of it. A group called Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (FPPL) actually runs the lighthouse. They rely on donations from visitors to keep it in good shape. Volunteers from FPPL open the lighthouse for visitors from mid-May to mid-October each year.
The Pemaquid Point Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 16, 1985. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. In January 2024, a storm damaged the lighthouse's bell house, which was built in the 1800s. But it was fully repaired just eight months later!
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park
The area around the lighthouse is a park called Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park. The Bristol Parks and Recreation Department manages it.
Things to See and Do at the Park
The old keeper's house is now the Fishermen's Museum at Pemaquid. Here, you can see displays and items about the lighthouse and the local history of fishing and sailing. The park also has a Learning Center, which opened in 2008. It's a place for movies, classes, and concerts.
Besides visiting the lighthouse and museum, you can enjoy picnics at the park. There's also the Pemaquid Art Gallery, where you can see paintings by local artists. Nearby, there's a State Historic Site. It has artifacts from Colonial Pemaquid, an old English settlement from 1635.
Geology of the Pemaquid Rocks
The amazing rocks at Pemaquid Point tell a very old story. About 430 million years ago, during the Silurian Period, sediments were laid down. Then, about 360 to 415 million years ago, these sediments changed into a type of rock called gneiss due to heat and pressure underground.
Molten rock also pushed its way into these layers and cooled slowly, forming hard, white igneous rock. All this heat and pressure twisted and folded the rock layers into the striking patterns you see today. The ocean and rough weather continue to shape and polish these ancient rocks.
List of Light Keepers
Here are some of the people who served as keepers of the Pemaquid Point Light:
- Isaac Dunham: November 3, 1827
- Nathaniel Gammage, Jr.: June 13, 1837
- Robert Curtis: July 31, 1849
- Samuel C. Tibbetts: April 9, 1853
- John Fossett: February 12, 1858
- J. Lawler: March 29, 1861
- Marcus A. Hanna: July 30, 1869
- William L Sartell: July 31, 1873
- Charles A. Dolliver: September 28, 1883
- Clarence E. Marr: August 16, 1899
- Leroy S. Ewell: July 1, 1922
Images for kids
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Pemaquid Point Light Station Sign
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Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
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The bellhouse used to hold a bell and a mechanism to ring it.
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The Pemaquid Point Lighthouse on the Maine state quarter
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Pemaquid Point Lighthouse at sunrise
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A view from the rocks of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
