Quoddy Head State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Quoddy Head State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and Quoddy Narrows, with Grand Manan Island, Canada, visible in the background
Quoddy Head State Park Location in Maine
Location	Lubec, Washington, Maine, United States
Area	541 acres (219 ha)
Elevation	39 ft (12 m)
Established	1962
Operator	Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Website	Quoddy Head State Park

Quoddy Head State Park is a special state park in Lubec, Maine. It is located on the most eastern point of land in the continental United States. This means it's the first place in the country to see the sunrise for a few weeks around the spring and fall equinoxes.

The park covers 541 acres (about 2.2 square kilometers). It was bought by the state in 1962. Here, you can find five miles of hiking trails, thick forests, and two bogs. Bogs are like wetlands with special plants. The park is home to many rare plants and animals. Its most famous feature is the tall, red-and-white striped lighthouse.

West Quoddy Head Lighthouse: A Beacon of History

The West Quoddy Head Light is a very important lighthouse. In 1808, it became the easternmost lighthouse in the United States. Its bright light and loud fog cannon helped warn sailors about dangerous cliffs and rocks.

Keeping Ships Safe

This lighthouse was one of the first to use a fog bell. Later, it used a steam-powered foghorn. These tools helped a lot to stop shipwrecks, even as more ships sailed by. The current red-and-white tower was built in 1858.

Modern Lighthouse Operations

Today, the United States Coast Guard watches over the lighthouse. Its light still shines using its original special lens, called a Fresnel lens. In 1988, the lighthouse became automated, meaning it runs by itself. After this, it became part of Quoddy Head State Park.

The lighthouse tower itself is closed to visitors. However, you can explore the grounds around it. There is also a visitor center and a museum. The West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association runs these. They share the history of the lighthouse and the people who worked there.

Unique Location Facts

Quoddy Head State Park is not just the easternmost point. It's also the closest place in the United States to the continent of Africa. This makes it a truly unique spot on the map!

Gallery

Images for kids

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  Most Eastern Point in the USA Marker

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  Staircase to the beach