Portland Head Light standing firmly on rocky Maine shore

Although we’d seen Portland Head Light once before, we looked forward to visiting what we think of as the granddaddy of lighthouses along the Maine coast.  Of course, that’s not accurate — just our impression.  After purchasing a book called The Islandport Guide to Lighthouses in Maine by Ted Panayotoff (sold in the Portland Museum of Art gift shop), we read accounts of 64 lighthouses and found that most aren’t visible from shore.  So, to us, Portland Head is not only stately, but, with its commanding presence and height, is also the grandest in Acadia.

View from the walkway: Portland Head Light, Portland, ME

Just so you’ll know:

• Location:  in Fort Williams State Park on Shore Road just a couple of miles from Portland
• Completed:  1790
• First lighthouse keeper: Joseph Greenleaf, appointed by President George Washington
• Tower:  about 80 feet tall
• Automation:  1989 — the end of an era when the last of the third generation Strout lighthouse keepers who had served for 59 years left the lighthouse
• Museum:  The town of Cape Elizabeth leased light station from Coast Guard and opened a museum in the keeper’s quarters in 1990.
• Open — grounds and museum are open in season; lighthouse is accessible only for Maine Open Lighthouse Day in September

The simple, elegant tower is appealing to all . . .

Simply white: Portland Head Light

as are the green signature color and red roofs on the museum.

Shopkeeper’s quarters turned museum at Portland Head Light

And the view from the side is the best introduction you’ll get of the rocky Maine coast.

Classic view of the Maine coast from Portland Head Light

Definitely worth a visit:  Portland Head Light.

We’re leaving soon for several days in Maine — a Down East autumn adventure that will take us up Route 1 along the coast and into the interior.  We’re ready for leaf peeping, a little hiking, and a lot of sightseeing from Mount Battie to the Fryeburg Fair.  Our goal?  Post pics of clapboard houses, boats in harbors, and trees decked out in glorious fall attire.  Here’s hoping you want to go along with us, too.  See you in Maine!

–Bert and Rusha Sams

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