Let's Look at Lighthouses! West Quoddy Head Lighthouse

The distinctive red and white stripes of West Quoddy Head Light are readily visible overlooking the Grand Manan Channel and the Bay of Fundy at America's easternmost point.

Just off the rocky beach below the lighthouse, Sail Rock protrudes ominously from the surface of the water, ready to tear apart any vessel daring to approach too closely. In 1806 a light station was authorized by Congress, to assist mariners traveling in these treacherous waters, just south of Canada's Campobello Island, and west of Grand Manan Island. The light station was established in 1808, and a fog signal added in 1820.

Owing, at least in part, to the harsh winter climate, West Quoddy Light Station was not well-constructed, and not well-maintained, so the tower was rebuilt in 1830, and the present 49 foot tower was constructed in 1857, sitting 83 feet above sea level, with its 35,000 candlepower beacon visible about 18 miles offshore. The red and white stripes appear to have been added shortly after the present tower was erected.

In the latter part of the 1800's West Quoddy was considered a good assignment for a lighthouse keeper, in part as a result of its proximity to the town of Lubec, Maine. In fact, when one of the keepers of the light failed to keep up the maintenance of the site, he was transferred to a less desirable location as a punishment. He resigned, rather than return to the harsh conditions at the station to which he was to have been assigned.

The lighthouse grounds are now part of Quoddy Head State Park, and there are trails along the coastline, and through the woods, with picnic tables, and steps down to the rocky shore. Whales and bald eagles can often be spotted near the lighthouse. It is a site that is well worth a visit. While there, a short drive takes you to the town of Lubec, where you can see Maine's Lubec Channel lighthouse, cross the bridge to Canada's Campobello Island, vor iew Mulholland Lighthouse across the channel.

West Quoddy Head Light Station is about 4 hours from Brewster House, but it is well worth the drive. The drive itself is a beautiful one. We left after breakfast, had lunch at Quoddy State Park, and still had time to explore Lubec, then make several stops on the way back home, for a full day of exploring.

For more information, see

• The Lighthouses of Maine, by Jeremy D'Entremont


• Coast Guard Lighthouses - Maine


• West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, Lubec, Maine


• West Quoddy Head, ME

Let's Look at Lighthouses! Cape Neddick Light (the Nubble)

Quite a few of Maine's sixty-plus lighthouses are offshore on islands, making them accessible only by boat or visible only from the air. Cape Neddick Light is one of a few that are on islands, but are easily viewed from shore.

Cape Neddick Light is on a small island known as "The Nubble", just offshore from Cape Neddick Point (in the village of York Beach, strangely enough, not in the village of Cape Neddick). The lighthouse was first established, and the lantern lit, in 1879. There had been talk of putting a lighthouse on the Nubble since 1807, but even with later wrecks, the decision was that there were enough lighthouses in the area to protect shipping. One of the wrecks, the Isadore, wrecked nearby in 1842, is still said to appear as a ghost ship with a phantom crew.

Perched high on the rocky island, the 41 foot tower puts the light 88 feet above sea level, with its red beacon above the white tower.

At low tide it was sometimes possible to walk between the mainland and the island, but the usual way of crossing was by boat, often tethered to a line across the channel. Supplies (and sometimes people) were transferred by a large bucket suspended from the cable. The lighthouse was a tourist attraction from the beginning, with some keepers earning extra money by ferrying tourists to the island.

The keeper's house and tower are decorated with white lights for the Christmas season. However, since there are many more visitors in the summer months, the town of York, who maintains the light station, also decorates it again in July.

The Nubble is a bit less than an hour drive from Brewster House Bed & Breakfast, and our guests often enjoy a day trip to Cape Neddick, with side trips to Kennebunkport, Wells, and sometimes Kittery.

For more information, see

• The Lighthouses of Maine, by Jeremy D'Entremont


• Coast Guard Lighthouses - Maine


• Cyberlights - Cape Neddick "Nubble" Light


• Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse History


• Cape Neddick "Nubble" Lighthouse Maine at Lighthouse Friends

A Maine Lobster Bake at Home

We know people love lobster, but they can't all get it where they live (that's so sad! - if you are here, check out our map of lobster shacks), so today's post is a guest post from our friends at LobsterAnywhere.com. Check their special offer for our readers at the end of the post!

Lobster Bake at Home

Looking for an authentic lobster bake, but can't get to Maine? Try a lobster bake at home! You need an outdoor grill for this lobster recipe. A touch of seaweed really adds flavor to the taste of fresh seafood.

Serves 4

Ingredients
Seaweed about 2 lbs.
4 Lobsters 1 1/4 LB to 1 1/2 LB
Steamer Clams 1 1/2 LBS
Mussels 1 1/2 LBS
Jumbo Raw Shrimp 16 each
Lemon Slices 10 slices
Water 1 cup
Melted Butter 1 cup

Large Baking Sheet

Method
1. Place cookie sheet on the grill. Add the water. Spread 1/2 the seaweed on the cookie sheet
2. Place lobster, clams, mussels and shrimp on top of the seaweed.
3. Slice the lemon thin. Sprinkle the lemon slices over the lobster.
4. Cover with the rest of the seaweed.
5. Turn grill on low and close the cover.
6. Lobster bake should be done in about 12 - 18 minutes or when the clams and mussels are open.
7. Serve with the melted butter.

This lobster bake was served up by our friends at www.lobsteranywhere.com
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Let's Look At Lighthouses! Portland Head Lighthouse

Portland Head Lighthouse is located in Fort Williams Park, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, less than half an hour drive from Brewster House Bed & Breakfast. It is easy to visit, in a local park, with free access and plenty of parking. The drive through Cape Elizabeth is enchanting, with a mix of old and newer homes, and glimpses of Casco Bay through the trees.

The setting for Maine's Portland Head Lighthouse is dramatic, with its rocky coast and waves which sometimes lash the shore. The small coves to either side of the lighthouse make it a photographer's dream come true - a site that is the epitome of Maine.

The location was the site of different forts, throughout US history and its wars, and now is a community park, with beach, trails, remains of the military installations and a stone house. The lighthouse itself is one of only four colonial era lighthouses whose tower has never been rebuilt. Commissioned in 1787 by George Washington, the lighthouse was first lit in January, 1791. The tower height has been changed more than once, but now stands 80 feet high, and 101 feet above water.

American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who was born in Portland, was a frequent visitor, and Portland Head lighthouse is thought to be the inspiration for his 1849 poem, "The Lighthouse."

On Christmas Eve in 1886 the British bark Annie C. MacGuire was shipwrecked in a terrible storm - so bad, lighthouse keeper Joseph Strout is reported to have said, that even Santa Claus was afraid to be out. The keeper's family was able to help with a rescue and all aboard made it safely ashore.

Much of the history of Portland Head Lighthouse is on display in the small museum in the keeper's house, which may be accessed for a nominal charge. The rest of the park is free, and is a popular location for picnics, kite-flying, wading, and hiking, all while watching the boats - sail and power - just offshore.