Saddleback Ledge Light facts for kids
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| Historic American Buildings Survey photo, July 1960 | |
 Saddleback Ledge Light
Location in Maine
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| Location | west of Isle au Haut, Maine |
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| Coordinates | 44°0′51.697″N 68°43′35.217″W / 44.01436028°N 68.72644917°W |
| Year first constructed | 1839 |
| Automated | 1954 |
| Tower shape | Conical Granite Tower |
| Markings / pattern | Gray |
| Focal height | 54 feet (16 m) |
| Current lens | 12 inches (300 mm) |
| Range | 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 6s |
| Fog signal | HORN: 1 every 10s |
| Admiralty number | J0064 |
| ARLHS number | USA-716 |
| USCG number | 1-3325 |
The Saddleback Ledge Light is a historic lighthouse in Maine. It stands on Saddleback Ledge, a small rocky island. This island is located between Isle au Haut and Vinalhaven. The lighthouse helps guide ships into the southeastern part of Penobscot Bay.
The lighthouse was built in 1839. It was designed by a famous architect named Alexander Parris. Saddleback Ledge Light is one of the oldest lighthouses in Maine. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This means it is a special place worth protecting.
What is Saddleback Ledge Light?
Saddleback Ledge is a rocky spot in the ocean. It is found roughly halfway between Isle au Haut and Vinalhaven Island. The lighthouse there is very important. It shows ships the way into the main eastern path of Penobscot Bay.
The lighthouse is a single building. It is a tall, cone-shaped tower. It stands about 36 feet (11 m) high. The tower is made from strong cut granite stones. At the very top, there is a ten-sided room called a lantern house. This room holds the light. Around the lantern house, there is an iron deck and a railing.
Inside the tower, there was space for the lighthouse keeper to live. There was also room to store supplies. The tower has narrow, vertical windows on its east and west sides. These windows let in light and allowed the keeper to look out.
History of the Lighthouse
The idea for Saddleback Ledge Light was approved in 1839. The tower was built in the same year. It was designed by Alexander Parris, a well-known architect. He designed five lighthouses in Maine.
At one time, in the 1800s, the station had a wooden building attached to it. This building was used as a boathouse. However, this addition was removed a long time ago. The lantern house, the deck, and the railing you see today were all added in 1883.
Saddleback Ledge Light was the second lighthouse ever built in Penobscot Bay. In 1954, the lighthouse became automated. This means that machines took over the job of lighting the lamp. Lighthouse keepers were no longer needed to live there.
