Whitlocks Mill Light facts for kids
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| Undated photograph of Whitlocks Mill Light Light (USCG) | |
 Whitlocks Mill Light
Location in Maine
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| Location | south shore of St. Croix River east of Calais, Maine |
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| Coordinates | 45°9′45.370″N 67°13′38.566″W / 45.16260278°N 67.22737944°W |
| Year first constructed | 1892 |
| Year first lit | 1909 (current tower) |
| Automated | 1969 |
| Foundation | Dressed stone/timber |
| Construction | Brick, ceramic tile lining |
| Tower shape | Cylindrical |
| Markings / pattern | White w/black lantern |
| Height | 25 feet (7.6 m) |
| Focal height | |
| Original lens | 4th order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | VLB-44 (2009) |
| Characteristic | Iso G 6s |
| Fog signal | none |
| Admiralty number | H4138 |
| ARLHS number | USA-890 |
| USCG number | 1-985 |
The Whitlocks Mill Light is a special lighthouse located on the south bank of the St. Croix River in Calais, Maine. Lighthouses help guide ships safely. This one is very important because it's the northernmost lighthouse in the state of Maine. It was also the very last lighthouse built in Maine.
Contents
What Makes Up the Whitlocks Mill Light Station?
The Whitlocks Mill Light Station is more than just a light tower. It includes several buildings that were once used by the lighthouse keeper. These parts are the light tower, the keeper's house, an equipment shed, an oil house, and a bell house.
The Keeper's House
The keeper's house is where the lighthouse keeper and their family used to live. It has two stories and an L-shape. The roof is called a gambrel roof, which has two different slopes on each side. This house faces the river. Today, the keeper's house is owned by a private person.
The Light Tower
The light tower is a round building made of brick. At the very top, there's a special room called a lantern house. This is where the light shines from. An iron railing goes around the lantern house.
Other Buildings
The bell house is quite unique. It's one of the few remaining bell houses from that time that has a pyramid shape. The oil house is a small brick building with a gable roof. It looks like other oil houses found at different light stations.
History of Whitlocks Mill Light
The Whitlocks Mill Light helps ships navigate a bend in the river. It first became a light station in 1892.
Early Days of the Light
At first, the light wasn't in a tower at all! The local miller, who the station is named after, simply hung a lantern in a tree. This helped guide boats on the river.
Building the Modern Station
In 1910, the buildings you see today were constructed. A special type of lens, called a fourth-order Fresnel lens, was placed inside the lantern house. This lens made the light much stronger and brighter.
Changes Over Time
The lighthouse became automated in 1969. This means machines took over the job of the lighthouse keeper. The old Fresnel lens was replaced with a smaller, standard light. Later, the original lens was moved to a museum in Rockland. In 2009, the light was updated again with a modern LED light.
In 1970, a local school used the station. Eventually, the keeper's house and its land were sold to private owners. However, the Coast Guard still owns the light tower itself.
Becoming a Historic Place
In 1999, the light tower was given to the St. Croix Historical Society. This was part of a program to protect lighthouses. On January 21, 1988, the Whitlocks Mill Light Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site that should be preserved.
Images for kids
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1916 postcard
