Petit Manan Light facts for kids
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 Petit Manan Light
Location in Maine
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| Location | Petit Manan Island, Maine |
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| Coordinates | 44°22′3.29″N 67°51′51.7″W / 44.3675806°N 67.864361°W |
| Year first constructed | 1817 |
| Year first lit | 1855 (current structure) |
| Automated | 1972 |
| Tower shape | Conical Granite Tower |
| Markings / pattern | Natural Granite |
| Focal height | 123 feet (37 m) |
| Original lens | Second Order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | VRB-25 |
| Range | 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s |
| Fog signal | HORN: 1 every 30s |
| USCG number | 1-1735 |
The Petit Manan Light is a historic lighthouse located on Petit Manan Island in Maine. This island sits at the end of a series of rocky ledges. These ledges stretch out from Petit Manan Point into the Gulf of Maine. The lighthouse helps guide ships safely between Dyer Bay and Pigeon Hill Bay.
Contents
What Does Petit Manan Light Look Like?
The Petit Manan light station includes several buildings. You'll find the main light tower, a keeper's house, a boathouse, and other smaller buildings.
The Light Tower
The tower itself is made of circular granite stone. It stands about 109 feet (33 m) tall. At its base, it is about 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. On top of the tower is a two-story lantern house with twelve sides. This is where the light shines from. The light's main beam is about 123 feet (37 m) above the water. Inside the tower, the walls are lined with brick, and there are iron stairs.
Other Buildings at the Station
The keeper's house is a two-story building made of wood. Other buildings nearby include a shed for rain (built around 1868) and a paint shed (built in 1876). There's also a building for a generator (from 1887) and a boathouse. The boathouse was likely built in 1868 and made bigger in 1900.
History of Petit Manan Light
The first lighthouse on Petit Manan Island was built in 1817. It was a small stone structure. The tower you see today was built later, in 1855. The keeper's house was added in 1875.
The Original Light and Its Journey
The lighthouse originally used a very large Fresnel lens. This special lens helped make the light beam very strong. Today, this original lens is on display at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine.
Storms and Repairs
Because the lighthouse is in an open area, it has been damaged by storms many times. In 1856, a storm knocked out some of its stone blocks. In 1869, a strong storm made the tower sway. This caused the weights that turned the lens to fall, damaging the stairs. To make it stronger, iron rods were put in place in 1887 to help stabilize it.
Modern Changes
The lighthouse became automated in 1972. This means it no longer needed a keeper to operate it. At that time, the old Fresnel lens was removed. In 2001, a big storm damaged the power cable to the lighthouse. The light was out of service for two months. After this, it was changed to run on solar power.
Visiting Petit Manan Light
The light station is part of the Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge. Because it's a wildlife refuge, the island and lighthouse are not open to the public. However, you can take boat tours to see the island from the water.
Wildlife on the Island
Petit Manan Island is home to a colony of breeding puffins. These unique seabirds are fun to spot near the island.
Comparing Lighthouses
The Petit Manan Light is the second tallest light tower in Maine. It looks very similar to the Boon Island Light. The Boon Island Light is a little taller and was built in the same year. The Petit Manan Light Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 30, 1987.
