Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, Maine
Limited Edition
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ROCKLAND BREAKWATER LIGHT
Rockland (1888 and 1902)
During the nineteenth century, prodigious quantities of lime and construction stone were shipped through the appropriately named port Rockland, Maine. Freighters lying at anchor in Rockland’s unprotected harbor were often at the mercy of high waves rolling in from the sea. To offset this danger the government built a breakwater in 1888, marking its outer end with a small trapezoidal light tower. In 1902 both breakwater and harbor signal were updated. Engineers extended the breakwater to its present length of more than a mile and constructed a more substantial lighthouse to warn mariners of its presence.
The station’s square, twenty-five-foot tower rises from the corner of its two-story dwelling. The lighthouse stands on a platform of squared-off granite blocks. A modern optic now does the work of the fourth–order Fresnel lens that formerly produced its flashing white light.
Travel information: From U.S. Highway 1 in Rockland, follow Waldo Road and Samoset Road to the Marie Reed Breakwater Park. Visitors can hike out the breakwater to the lighthouse. The lighthouse and its light, often stunningly beautiful at night, also can be seen several points along the Rockland waterfront.
Lighthouse lovers have another treat in store at Rockland. The Shore Village Museum on Limerock Street houses the most astounding collection of lighthouse lenses and equipment anywhere in America. Operated since the1970s by Ken Black, a retired Coast Guard warrant officer, this delightful and highly informative museum focuses on lighthouse history and engineering. Contact the Shore Village Museum, 104 Limerock Street, Rockland ME 04841; (207) 594-0311.