I can think of think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were built only to serve.
George Bernard Shaw
Portland Head Light sits at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Portland Harbor, within Cisco Bay in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Standing 80 feet tall and 101 feet above the water, the light is white with a black lantern framed by the red roof of the keeper’s house. Built with rubble stone with a brick lining, the current light’s range is 24 nautical miles.
As the first lighthouse built by the U.S. Government, Portland Head Lighthouse is know to be one of the most famous and most photographed lighthouses in the United States. Construction of the Portland Head Light began in 1787 and was completed in in 1791 using a fund of $1,500 established by George Washington in 1787.
The original light used whale oil for illumination but as technology progressed, the lighthouse received a 4th-order Fresnel Lens in 1864. The light was then raised 20 feet and it received a 2nd order Fresnel Lens in 1865 which remained in place until 1958.
The Portland Head Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
What to know before you visit:
On a clear day, a second lighthouse is visible to the left of the Portland Head Light keeper’s house. Further out in Casco Bay, Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse marks the northern end of the main channel into Portland harbor and is not accessible to visitors.
Portland Head Light is located in the sprawling Fort Williams Park. There is a charge for parking. Food trucks are available with picnic tables as well.
A walking path inside the park offers exceptional scenic viewpoints and sunrise is ideal for photographers. Access to the rocks below the lighthouse will be to the right as you approach but the climb down is steep and caution is recommended.
Located a short drive from downtown Portland, the lighthouse is very busy with visitors. Enjoy much smaller crowds at sunrise.
Leashed dogs are welcomed.
Our trip to Maine was intentionally focused around seeing some of the beautiful lighthouses that serve the mariners of Maine and we were not disappointed!
Read more about our Maine Lighthouse tour:
Let’s Just Go! 