Steadfast, serene, immovable, the same 
   Year after year, through all the silent night 
Burns on forevermore that quenchless flame, 
   Shines on that inextinguishable light!

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

 

The state of Maine has some of the best icons-cranberry bogs, lobsters, and lighthouses.  Although, I love both lobsters and cranberries, it was the allure of the lighthouse that called me to explore Maine.  There is something mysterious about a lighthouse, and each one has a rich and unique history that is intertwined with the sea.   The city of Portland and Casco Bay has a handful of unique and picturesque lighthouses that are the perfect place to take in the sea air with a beautiful backdrop.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

 

A Bit of History

This black and white lighthouse punctuates the end of the granite breakwater in South Portland like a stout sparkplug floating in the sea.   Since 1895 it has marked a dangerous obstruction on the west side of the main shipping channel of Portland Harbor.  A number of infamous shipwrecks occurred on this site before the lighthouse was built.

Add to the Fun

The small beach area near the breakwater is a favorite lookout point for locals, and is also a great place to play in the surf or take some family pictures.   The ruins of Fort Preble are adjacent to the lighthouse and provide a place to explore American war history. 

Other Lighthouses in the Area

Portland Breakwater Light “Bug Light” is about ½ mile away.

 

 

Parking, Tours, and Other Logistics

The lighthouse is now adjacent to the Southern Maine Community College, so there is minimal parking available and the area can be congested when students are coming and going.  There are about a dozen parking spots available for the public near the lighthouse, but the surrounding parking is permit only for the college.  We took our chances and parked in the college parking lot and didn’t have a problem. 

Tours of the interior are available on a limited basis and it would be best to call ahead to check times.  Children must be 55 inches to tour the lighthouse, and tours are $5.  Anyone can take a walk out onto the breakwater for truly breathtaking views of the harbor, but be sure to wear snug fitting shoes and mind the gaps between the rocks.

 

 

Portland Head Light

 

A Bit of History

Heralded as the most photographed lighthouse in New England, the Portland Head Light has a history as old as the country itself.   Under the direction of a fiscally-minded George Washington in 1787, the lighthouse construction began using local rubblestone as the construction materials.  This directive from the Father of the Country made Portland Head Light the first lighthouse to be constructed by the US Government.   Other renowned early American history figures, including Marquis de Lafayette  and Captain Joseph Greenleaf  had connection to the Lighthouse, as well, but it the enduring poem of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that immortalized this site in the written word.  A native of Portland, Longfellow often visited the Portland Head, stopping to enjoy a cool drink with the keeper before heading out onto the cliffs to allow the beauty of nature to inspire him.   His poem The Lighthouse captures the beauty of this site that was so familiar to the poet.

Add to the Fun

Adjacent to the Lighthouse is the 90 acre Fort Williams Park where picnic facilities, hiking, and historic forts are available.  Picnicking on the cliffs above the Lighthouse offers spectacular, albeit windy views of the lighthouse and ocean vistas.  This would be a great place for kite flying, as well.

The Museum at Portland Head Light is an award winning museum that contains a variety of lighthouse lenses and interpretative displays. 

Other Lighthouses in the Area

Cape Elizabeth Lights, also known as Two Lights is nearby.

 

Parking, Tours, and Other Logistics

Parking is plentiful and free, as is admission to the park and the surrounding area.  Portapotties are available, but they are discreetly hidden behind a fence and up a hill in a secluded area.   Food trucks are available during the typical tourist season or when a cruise ship is in port.  Bring along a windbreaker, even in the summer months, as the wind is quite strong along the cliffs.

~Today I am linking up with Budget Travelers Sandbox and R We There Yet Mom.~