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MATINICUS ROCK LIGHT (TWIN TOWERS)

State: MAINE
Location: 6 MILES SOUTH OF MATINICUS ISLAND
Nearest City: ROCKLAND
County: KNOX
U.S.C.G. District: 1
Year Station Established: 1827

 Matinicus Rock Light (Twin Towers)
Photo courtesy of Maine Coast Sanctuaries
Existing Historic Tower:
  • Year Light First Lit: 1857
  • Is the Light Operational? YES
  • Date Deactivated: N/A
  • Automated: 1983
  • Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED
  • Construction Materials: GRANITE BLOCKS
  • Markings/Patterns: NATURAL
  • Shape: CYLINDRICAL
  • Relationship to Other Structures: ATTACHED
  • Tower Height: 48
  • Original Optic: THIRD ORDER, FRESNEL
  • Year Original Lens Installed: 1857
  • Present Optic: VEGA VRB-25 SOLAR POWERED
  • Year Present Lens Installed: 1993
  • Height of Focal Plane: 90
  • Fresnel Lens Disposition: ORIG. LENS AT SHORE VILLAGE MUSEUM, ROCKLAND
Previous Tower(s):
  • 1. Construction Date:
  • Description:
  • Fate/Disposition:
Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? NO (REMOVED 1983)
  • Year Constructed: 1888
  • Construction Materials: BRICK
  • Architectural Style:
  • Fog Signal Type: HORN
Existing Keepers Quarters? YES
  • Year Constructed: 1846
  • Number of Stories: 2
  • Architectural Style: RECTANGULAR
  • Construction Materials: GRANITE/WOOD
Other Structures: STORAGE BUILDING, BOATHOUSE (1890), 2 CISTERNS, RAILWAY, FOUNDATION OF ASST KEEPERS, BRICK GENERATOR BUILDING, 2 PLASTIC GENERATOR SHEDS, HELICOPTER PAD

Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION IN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Owner/Manager: U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE WITH U.S. COAST GUARD ACCESS TO OPTIC

Open to the Public? YES (Go to Lighthouses to Visit for access information)

Web Site:

National Register Status: LISTED; Reference #88000149
Name of Listing: MATINICUS ROCK LIGHT STATION
On State List/Inventory? NO; Year Listed:

Miscellaneous:
DESIGNED BY ALEXANDER PARRIS; ABBIE BURGESS GAINED HEROINE REPUTATION HERE; TWO 1848 TOWERS (TOPS REMOVED) ATTACHED TO HOUSE; SECOND 1857 TOWER INACTIVE 1924; ISLAND IMPORTANT SEABIRD NESTING SITE



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Last Modified: Tue, Apr 16 2002 1:40:02 pm EDT
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