When people think about Maine, they often imagine her craggy coast and nautical feel. And, of course, that includes the many lighthouses that dot the coast. There are 65 lights in Maine and each one serves an important purpose. While some are no longer in constant use and others have been fully automated, the history each one carries is fun to learn. And they’re even more beautiful to visit. Today we’re focusing on one of the most historic lighthouses in Maine and we think you’ll find it just as interesting as we did!

Burnt Island Light was built in 1821 and the first oil lamp lights were lit on November 9th, 1821 by keeper Joshua B. Cushing. In 2021 it celebrates its 200th birthday with a large restoration funded largely by donations from the community.
jjgam / Google
The lighthouse was directed to be built by President James Monroe and the initial goal was not necessarily to warn ships, but to attract traffic to the harbor.
Over the years the fixed light changed many times and was eventually replaced by a rotating beacon in 1888. This was typical of the time. The lenses on the beacon were used until 1962 when the beacon was moved to a museum and eventually replaced by electricity. While change is inevitable, a fun fact is that the Burnt Island Light was the last to be converted from kerosene.
Teacher91 ❤ / TripAdvisor
The lighthouse tower is 30 feet tall and the walls are about four feet thick. The beam of light shines out about 61 feet over the average sea level.
James Tharpe / Google

Related Stories

It's Impossible To Forget These 6 Horrific Winter Storms That Have Gone Down In Maine History

It's Impossible To Forget These 6 Horrific Winter Storms That Have Gone Down In Maine History

 Dine At The Historic Spot In Maine Where Papers Were Signed To Become An Independent State

Dine At The Historic Spot In Maine Where Papers Were Signed To Become An Independent State

 Here Are The Oldest Photos Ever Taken In Maine And They're Incredible

Here Are The Oldest Photos Ever Taken In Maine And They're Incredible
The station was automated in 1988 making it one of the last in Maine to be manned by a person. Today you'll find a museum inside showing what it might have been like for a keeper to live here. The museum is closed during renovation, but it's a great place to learn about Maine maritime history as soon as it re-opens.
Teacher91 ❤ / TripAdvisor
You can visit by boat, including kayaking yourself.
Alex Iannicelli / Google
Or, you can opt for a tour.
Richard mikels / Google
There are quite a few lights you can visit in Maine, but Burnt Island Light offers one of the best up-close opportunities to learn about lighthouses and how they operated here. We recommend you put this one on your list of must-sees.

Burnt Island Light is open for tours, and you can visit the Keepers of Burnt Light website for more information.

While one of the most historic lighthouses in Maine, Burnt Island Light is certainly not the only historic beacon in the Pine Tree State! Check out this lighthouse road trip in Maine that’s dreamily beautiful.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Historic Lighthouses in Maine

Sarah M. | November 18, 2022

What are some other historic lighthouses in Maine?

Few things feel more like home than Maine’s lighthouses. They are the lights that guide us home, both literally and figuratively. For those who are only visitors to Maine, the lights represent happy memories and, for over a hundred years, they’ve been a beacon of home for sailors. Beautiful and historic, the following are some of our favorite lighthouses in Maine:

  • Whaleback Light is located just offshore from Fort Foster and was originally positioned to protect the Portsmouth, NH harbor. The tower, built in 1872, now uses a revolving DCB-224 airport-style beacon. The keeper's quarters are integrated into the tower. For the best view, head to Fort Foster Park.
  • Nubble Light was built in 1879 and is the southernmost of our lighthouses, and is known as one of the most historic lighthouses in Maine. The name refers to the rocky island on which it sits, just off shore. It flashes red every six seconds, and is visible for 13 miles. Electricity didn't come to Cape Neddick until 1938. Before then, the extremely cold wind caused numerous problems to the flow of oil to the light's lamp. For the best view, head to the end of Nubble Rd. in York. There is a park with a clear view of the Nubble just off shore.
  • Portland Head has the distinction of being Maine's oldest lighthouse. Completed in January 1791, the original tower stood at 72 feet and was made of rubblestone and lime. One of the most notable features of the historic tower is its many changes in height. Between the years of 1813 and 1881, the tower was lowered and raised by about 20' 4 times! The only significant change since then came in 1989, when the previous light was removed and replaced with an airport-style revolving beacon.
  • Bass Harbor Light is our personal favorite! It's located within Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island and has a distinctive fourth-order red lens, dating back to 1858. Bass Harbor Head Light guards the entrance to Blue Hill Bay. As one of the most historic lighthouses in Maine, it's definitely worth visiting!

Related Articles

Explore Maine

Featured Addresses
Burnt Island Light, Southport, ME 04576, USA