One pretty place: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Bristol, Maine.
Approachable and easily accessible, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is a treasure both for the state of Maine and for those of us looking for the quintessential charming white lighthouse.
Established in 1827, the light sits on a unique rock promontory in Bristol, Maine, near New Harbor and the town of Newcastle. After a bout with crumbling plaster (salt water had been mixed with the original plaster), the lighthouse had to be rebuilt using only freshwater in the construction. It opened in 1835.
Pemaquid Light with flag at half staff to honor those massacred in Las Vegas, October 20, 2017.
A striking painted-white 38-foot tower stands tall , and the day we visited, the whole structure including the Fisherman’s Museum located in the original wood-framed lighthouse keeper’s home, positively glowed with the effects of the afternoon sun.
Glowing in the sun: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
In 1856, a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed in the tower, one of only eight such lenses still in use in Maine today, and you can visit the tower Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
Lighting the way: tower at Pemaquid Point
We walked the grounds, noting the raw beauty of the craggy shore and small, but private picnic area. If you’re looking for a postcard-picture of Maine’s coast, this is one place you’ll want to see.
Rocky promontory at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse remains a favorite for its quiet countenance and visitor-friendly grounds planted with spectacular perennials. Go for the view. Go for the simplicity. Go for the museum. Whatever you hoped for in a Maine lighthouse is probably there — at Pemaquid Point.
Rocky shore at Pemaquid Point
For more information:
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, 3115 Bristol Rd, Bristol, ME 04558
Visit Maine website with information on location, entry fee, and hours for visitors.
Facebook: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
For more posts on Maine, check out our Travel Series: Autumn Down East. We’d love to show you Maine through our eyes!
Curt Mekemson
You could almost do a lighthouse a day while you are in Maine, Rusha. I read somewhere that there are over 60 strung out along its coast! And I suspect you haven’t found one you haven’t liked yet. It’s quite pretty. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
I think our total was eight all together. Some you could only see by water, so we missed those. But if there was one we could drive up to or see at a distance, we certainly did. Three of them could be visited, and you could even buy silly stuff like refrigerator magnets, etc. But it’s all good. We’re tourists and like that stuff.
Curt Mekemson
Laughing, I found the same magnets at lighthouses out west, Rusha. There are quite a few on the west coast and I’ve visited most of them at some time or the other. I understand that there are more lighthouses on the Great Lakes than any where else in the US. –Curt
Amy
Hope to see this beautiful place in the near future!
Oh, the Places We See
You would love to take pictures in Maine. There’s so much to see — not just the natural beauty but also the people working, like lobstermen, boat captains, artists, etc. Hope you get there soon.
JudyinFrance
I’ve never been to Maine. Your photos make me want to go. I love light houses.
Oh, the Places We See
We’re back now, and I believe my total is 8 for lighthouses. Loved each one for different reasons. Have never climbed to the top of one, but most of these weren’t open to the public. In fact, one was fenced off, and we had to see it from the road beyond. Some are quite fragile, I think, so they are more protected.
Encore Voyage
Maine is on Our List. Now I remember why! Beautiful and serene! Thanks ~ Lynn
Oh, the Places We See
Please keep Maine on your list. There are literally miles and miles of seashore with beautiful harbors, sailboats, and clapboard houses on the shore. It’s pretty magical.
dawnkinster
This was one of our favorite lighthouses in Maine. We sat out on the rocks there a long time.
Oh, the Places We See
We walked the shore a bit, but we don’t climb rocks much any more! Wish we had known to bring a picnic — such a pretty place to linger.
Pit
Thanks for that highly interesting blogpost! All the more reasons to visit Maine. 🙂
Have a wonderful Sunday,
Pit
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for your comment. Pemaquid Point really is a pretty place — even without the lighthouse!
Pit
🙂