Lighthouses in the Lubec, Maine Area
Lubec Area Lighhouses
There are five lighthouses not far from Lubec, with a sixth in Calais. In addition, Passamaquoddy Bay has over ten lighthouses, on islands, on the New Brunswick mainland as well as on the Wolves Islands.
See Whale Watching boats for tours of lighthouses.
Lubec has two: the famous West Quoddy Head Lighthouse (easternmost point in the U.S.), and Lubec Channel Light (aka the SparkPlug).
Campobello Lighthouses include The East Quoddy Lightstation (aka Head Harbour Light) and the Mulholland Point Light.
Cutler has the Little River Lighthouse.
Calais has the Whitlock Mill Lighthouse.
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
The most photographed is the famous candy-striped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse:
Built in 1808, Re-built in 1853 & in 1858, Automated in 1988
The light has the original Fresnel lens and the 50-step iron stair in the tower is still used by the U.S. Coast Guard, which is responsible for maintaining the light.
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, overlooks Sail Rock, the easternmost point of land in the continental United States, and is situated in the 481-acre Quoddy Head State Park.
There is a Visitor Center and Museum (free admission) located inside the 1858 Light Keeper’s house, which is staffed by volunteers from Memorial Day weekend to mid-October, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily.
Twice a year, usually on the first Saturday in June, when the West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association holds its anniversary celebration, and on a Saturday in mid-September when the Coast Guard hosts Maine Lighthouse Day, personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard open the tower to the public.
Of the many thousands of visitors who come to West Quoddy Head Light each year, many are photographed next to the granite marker depicting the Easternmost Point in the U.S.A. The marker was dedicated in July 2005 by the West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association in collaboration with the Maine Department of Conservation.
The Lubec Channel Light
Also known as “The Sparkplug”
Built in 1889
Has 5 levels, 2 of which were keepers’ quarters
Automated in 1939
Fresnel lens replaced with modern optics in 1968
In 1989, when discontinuation was planned, local residents mounted a “Save the Sparkplug” campaign and raised $700,000
In 1992, the renovation of the Sparkplug was completed
Became privately owned in 2007.
Little River Light
Located on an island in Cutler Harbor, the first lighthouse at Little River was built in 1847. In 1876 the stone tower was torn down and replaced with a brick tower, encased in steel, which still stands here today. After the station was automated (1939) the Coast Guard left the island and the government attempted to maintain the station with caretakers, a situation they eventually discontinued. The station was then boarded up and abandoned to the elements. In 2000, when it was evident that the lighthouse could eventually be declared excess property and could be sold to the highest bidder, the New England Lighthouse Foundation d/b/a the American Lighthouse Foundation stepped forward and was granted an historic preservation license and lease from the Coast Guard for the lighthouse.In August of 2007 the Friends of Little River Lighthouse was officially formed as a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation.
Campobello Island Lighthouses
Calais Lighthouse
Whitlock Mill Lighthouse, is the northernmost lighthouse in the U.S. Still a working lighthouse, it sits overlooking the St. Croix River and is located three miles south of Calais, just 50 miles north of Lubec.