Part 1: A Fun Weekend: All About Nubble Lighthouse

Last month, over my birthday weekend, our friend Lynn visited for a couple of days and we enjoyed a number of things, including local places, a great rally, a paranormal investigation, forest walks and more. Today's blog is part one: Nubble Lighthouse. Nubble is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.  

(Photo: Rob, Tom, Lynn at Nubble Lighthouse) 

ABOUT NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE - The Nubble Lighthouse, also known as Cape Neddick Light, is  a historic and picturesque lighthouse on a small island in York, Maine. Built in 1879, it is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world and is visible from the mainland park, Sohier Park, though it is not accessible to the public. You can enjoy views of the lighthouse from Sohier Park, where there is also a gift shop, and during special events like the Christmas lighting ceremony.

(Photo: Nubble Lighthouse. Credit: R.G.) 

LOCATION - The lighthouse is situated on Nubble Island, about 100 yards off Cape Neddick Point in the village of York Beach. Looking at the lighthouse from the parking lot, you are facing east, so there have been many pictures of beautiful sunrises behind the lighthouse!  

(Photo: Nubble Lighthouse. Credit: R.G.) 

HISTORY -  Construction began in 1879, and the lighthouse was put into use the same year to guide ships through dangerous waters following a shipwreck. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. 

(Photo: Sign from UNH about the program at Nubble)

CONSTRUCTION - The 41-foot tall cast-iron tower was built in 1879, following an appropriation from Congress in 1874. The lighthouse has a classic New England style, with a Victorian keeper's house featuring gingerbread trim. Its grounds are decorated with miniature cast-iron lighthouses on the railing of the lantern room. 

(Photo: Lynn and Tom standing in Sohier park. Credit: R.G)

SCIENTIFIC USAGE TODAY - The waters around the lighthouse are used for research by the University of New Hampshire's (UNH) scientific diving program and other institutions. 

   UNH uses the waters around Nubble Light as as training site and has a robust diving program where students, faculty and staff use scuba to conduct underwater research experiments.

   Researchers from many institutions along the Gulf of Maine have used the Nubble waters because of the ease of shore diving and the high diversity of marine life under the surface. 

(Photo: Signage about the lighthouse and the park that faces it. Credit: R.G)

STILL ACTIVE TODAY! - Nubble Light is still an active aid to navigation, though it became automated in 1987. Ownership and maintenance: After its automation, the town of York acquired ownership of the lighthouse in 1998 and is responsible for its preservation and upkeep. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the light and horn.

PUBLIC ACCESS - The lighthouse and island are not open to the public, but you can view the structure from the nearby mainland park. Viewing from land: The best views are from Sohier Park, located at the end of Nubble Road in York Beach. There is free parking available at the park, but the spaces are very limited. You may have to drive around the small lot for a while. 

(Photo: Waves crash against the rocks on the northern part of Nubble island. Credit: R.G.) 

GIFT SHOP -  A gift shop is available at Sohier Park, with proceeds benefiting the park and lighthouse. They sell tee shirts, post cards (my favorite thing), candy, taffy, puzzles, coffee mugs, stickers, and all kinds of things. 

SPECIAL EVENTS -  A popular event is the lighting of the lighthouse and buildings for Christmas, which begins at dusk on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving and lasts until early January.

 

(Photo: A look at the coast of Cape Neddick, Maine, looking north from Sohier Park. Credit: R.G)