Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Maine--Portland Head Light

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
Maine Lighthouses

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PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT

State: MAINE
Location: PORTLAND HARBOR /
CASCO BAY
Nearest City: CAPE ELIZABETH
County: CUMBERLAND
U.S.C.G. District: 1
Year Station Established: 1791

NPS photo by Candace Clifford, 1994

Existing Historic Tower:

Year Light First Lit: 1791
Is the Light Operational? YES
Date Deactivated: N/A
Automated: 1989
Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED
Construction Materials: RUBBLE STONE W/BRICK LINING
Markings/Patterns: WHITE W/BLACK TRIM
Shape: CONICAL
Relationship to Other Structures: ATTACHED
Tower Height: 80
Original Optic: FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed: 1855
Present Optic: DCB-224
Year Present Lens Installed: 1991
Height of Focal Plane: 101
Fresnel Lens Disposition: SECOND ORDER LENS REMOVED 1958, RETURNED 1992, PORTION ON DISPLAY IN TOWER
Has tower been moved? NO

Previous Tower(s): N/A

Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? YES (ORIG. 1880 STRUCTURE DESTROYED IN 1975)

Year Constructed: 1975
Construction Materials: BRICK
Architectural Style: REPLICA OF 1880 STRUCTURE
Fog Signal Type: HORN

Existing Keepers Quarters? YES

Year Constructed: 1891
Number of Stories: 2
Architectural Style: DUPLEX
Construction Materials: WOOD FRAME

Other Structures: GARAGE, OIL HOUSE (PRE-1891)

Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION / MUSEUM

Owner/Manager: TOWN OF CAPE ELIZABETH WITH U.S. COAST GUARD ACCESS T0 OPTIC & SOUND SIGNAL

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

Web Site: Link

National Register Status: LISTED; Reference #73000121
Name of Listing: PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT
On State List/Inventory? YES; Year Listed:

HABS/HAER Documentation? YES, ME-123

Miscellaneous:
FIRST TOWER COMPLETED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

Last Modified: Wed, Apr 17 2002 8:51:02 am EDT
JMP

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