Bass Harbor Head Light

History

The history of Bass Harbor Head Light dates to 1855, when it was determined that there was sufficient reason for a lighthouse at the mouth of Bass Harbor. In 1855, the U.S. Congress appropriated $5,000 for construction of the lighthouse. In 1876, construction was completed on a fog bell and tower, since removed. A much larger 4000 lb bell was placed inside the tower in 1898. The house of the lightkeeper remains in its original configuration with the exception of a 10 ft addition that was added in 1900. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Bass Harbor Head Light Station on January 21, 1988, reference number 87002273.

In 1902, an oil storage house constructed of brick was built 205 ft northwest of the lighthouse.

Bass Harbor's fifth order Fresnel lens was replaced in 1902 with a larger fourth order. This lens was manufactured by the French company Henry-Lepaute. This lens remains in service today.

Viewing

Today, the house is a private residence for a local Coast Guard member and his family. Tourists can get close to the bell and light via a concrete path, but most of the grounds remain private. There is a short walk which takes one to a series of wooden steps that lead down onto the many granite boulders that provide a great view of the harbor side of the lighthouse.

Keepers

• John Thurston (1858–1861)
• John Rick (1861–1865)
• John Wilson (1865–1869)
• Charles B. Gilley (1869–1872)
• James L. Wilson (1872–1880)
• C. F. Chase (1880–1890)
• William T. Holbrook (1890–1894)
• Willis Dolliver (1894–1912)
• Joseph M. Gray (c. 1921–1938)
• Elmer Reed (1938–1940)
• Leverett Stanley (1940–1950)
• Eugene L. Coleman (1950–1955)
• Morton M. Dyer (1955–1957)
• Cecil A. Mareno (1960s)
• Walter D. Moulton (U.S. Coast Guard, 1962–1963)

References

References

1. {{NRISref. 2009a
2. "Inventory of Historic Lighthouses: Maine Lighthouses".
3. {{cite uscgll. 1. 2009. 23
4. {{cite uscghist. ME
5. "New England Lighthouses, A Virtual Guide: Bass Harbor Head Light".
6. Silverman, Irving. (1998). "The Historic Homes of the Town of Tremont... A Perspective In Time". Tremont Historical Society.
7. (2009-08-06). "Classical Lenses in Operation". US Coast Guard.
8. "Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse".