LocumVentures: The Lighthouses of Maine

The Nomadic Pediatrician

Jan 31

There are reportedly 65 lighthouses in Maine that have stood for the last 2 centuries spanning the 3,500 miles of coastline. The history behind each is fascinating and many still function in full capacity today; albeit, possibly with updated technology. Some have been turned into or had the addition of gift shops and some are still lived in to this day. While a fair number are reachable only by boat, many others are relatively easily accessible by vehicle. In my relatively short time in Maine, I only ventured to a handful but they're some of the most highly acclaimed and if I could do it all over again, they're still my top pics! Some are re-featured from other posts, but I felt a lighthouse dedicated post was necessary after a year in Maine. There's not a whole lot to say about them, because i'm not a huge historian, but definitely worth looking into if you are!

From The Ones I Visited
- Best View: Bass Harbor Head Light Station
- Most Relaxing: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
- Most Famous: Marshall Point Lighthouse (Featured in Forrest Gump)
- Creepiest: Squirrel Point Light
- Best Walk: Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
- Oldest: The Portland Head Light

Nomenclature is a Thing:
- Light(house) = Tower itself with the lantern room
- Light Station = Property containing multiple outbuildings (eg: separate living quarters) as well as lighthouse tower itself
- Stag Lights = Lights with no families (usually offshore)
- Head(land) = A type or promontory, coastal landform, with a high point of land and usually with a sheer drop into a body of water. A large one is called a cape. They're super cool for the high, breaking waves, unique rock formations from erosion and steep cliffs with gorgeous views.

1. Cape Neddick (Nubble) Light (York, ME) - Opened 1879

Easy to get to, located next to a Lobster restaurant, but you can't get up close to the lighthouse.

2. Portland Head Light (Portland, ME) - Opened 1791

Located in Fort Williams Park, it's also next to Bite Into Maine, famous for their lobster rolls.

7. Marshall Point Lighthouse (Port Clyde, ME) - Opened 1832

The claim to fame of this place is Forrest Gump. I definitely coupled it into my trip to Monhegan and there's a great lobster pound here, Port Clyde Co-Op (Ask for Spinner).

8. West Quoddy Head Lighthouse (Lubec, ME) - Opened 1808

See my other post on this here: https://thenomadicpediatrician.com/2022/11/15/locumventures-northern-maine-in-3-days-a-trip-to-the-county/

9. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (New Harbor, ME) - Opened 1827

See my other post on this here: https://thenomadicpediatrician.com/2022/05/28/locumventures-pemaquid-point/

10. Head Harbour (East Quoddy) Lighthouse (New Brunswick, Canada) - Opened 1829

See my other post on this here: https://thenomadicpediatrician.com/2022/11/15/locumventures-northern-maine-in-3-days-a-trip-to-the-county/

CAUTION: GET HERE FOR LOW-TIDE!!!

11. Squirrel Point Light (Arrowsic, ME) - Opened 1898

See my other post more on this here: https://thenomadicpediatrician.com/2022/06/18/locumventures-in-maine-arrowsic-peninsula-squirrel-point-and-doubling-point-lighthouses/

12. Monhegan Lighthouse (Monhegan Island, ME) - Opened 1824

See my other post more on this here: https://thenomadicpediatrician.com/2022/09/06/locumventures-a-day-on-monhegan-island-2022/

13. Mulholland Point Lighthouse (New Brunswick, Canada) - Opened 1885

See my other post on this here: https://thenomadicpediatrician.com/2022/11/15/locumventures-northern-maine-in-3-days-a-trip-to-the-county/

14. Cape Elizabeth Light (a.k.a. Two Lights) (Cape Elizabeth, ME) - Opened 1828

I didn't end up doing an individual post on my adventure here, but highly recommend a visit to Two Lights State Park and lunch at The Lobster Shack at Two Light

See my post on the best lobsters in Maine here: https://thenomadicpediatrician.com/2022/11/01/locum-life-the-summer-of-30-lobsters/

15. Wood Island Lighthouse (Biddeford, ME) - Opened 1806

Hidden in Biddeford, if you explore the East Point Audubon Sanctuary you can not only go on a fantastic oceanside hike, but can see the lighthouse, there's also benches for picnics. Highly recommend for a date spot.