There’s a sunrise and sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.
Jo Walton
One of my favorite Maine lighthouses is the Marshall Point Lighthouse. Located on a rocky ledge at the tip of St. George Peninsula, the lighthouse serves both Muscongus and Penobscot Bays. The active light serves boats navigating Port Clyde Harbor with a range of 13 nautical miles.
The Marshall Point Light that we see today is the second structure on the property and the current light was first lit in 1858. At 31 feet tall, the white brick lighthouse is topped by a black lantern and its light is a fixed white light that has been automated since 1971. The lighthouse’s original Fresnel lens was moved to the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine.
Today, the Keeper’s house, also still on the property, is the Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum.
Even if you’ve never visited the Marshall Point Lighthouse, you may recognize it from the 1994 movie, Forrest Gump. It’s brief appearance occurs at the point of the movie where our hero runs from coast to coast with his run taking him up the wooden walkway that connects the lighthouse to land, to the door of the lighthouse where he turns to continue running.
While the lighthouse protects the mariners who travel the waters in the area, it is not impervious to the weather and lightning strikes do occur. On July 27, 2023, the lighthouse was struck by lightning and the light, foghorn, and associated equipment were damaged. At the time of our most recent visit, exactly a month later, we were happy to find the lighthouse already repaired and back to work.
What to know before you visit:
A small parking lot is available for visitors and the lighthouse is a short walk over uneven ground. Designated handicapped parking is closer to the keeper’s house.
Leashed dogs are permitted.
No fee is charged to visit.
Sunset is the most beautiful time of day at Marshall Point but if you plan to visit at dusk, be aware of the mosquitoes!
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