Today's blog is the third in the "Exploring Portland Maine" run, and we're taking you to explore the history and beauty of the Portland Head Light (Lighthouse) on Cape Elizabeth, Maine, near south Portland. You'll learn about the Longfellow connection and movies that were filmed on location!
(Rob and Tom at the Portland Head Light)
(Photo: The lighthouse portion was built in the 1780s from local stone and still stands today. Credit: R.G.)
Washington instructed the masons to build the tower out of local fieldstone and shore rocks to keep costs low, which resulted in the 72-foot rubblestone tower still standing today. It was officially lit for the first time on January 10, 1791!
OLDEST LIGHTHOUSE IN MAINE! Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, is the oldest lighthouse in the state.
CIVIL WAR UPGRADES - During the Civil War, the tower was raised 20 feet to improve its visibility to passing ships. Originally illuminated by 16 whale oil lamps, the station upgraded to a more powerful 2nd-order Fresnel lens in 1865.
KEEPER'S ORIGINAL HOUSE REPLACED - In 1891, the original stone keeper's house was torn down and replaced with a two-story wood double dwelling to accommodate the lighthouse keepers and their families
FAMOUS SHIPWRECK AND RESCUE HIGHLIGHTED ON A ROCK -When you go to the lighthouse, on the southern side, visitors will see an outcropping of rock with words painted in white letters. They signify the wreck of the British ship, Annie McGuire, that crashed there on Christmas eve, 1886. Lighthouse keeper Joshua Strout and his family rescued all 14 people from the ship, Days later, the ship broke apart.
There's a bronze plaque that lists the names of all of the lighthouse keepers and the years they lived and worked at the Portland Head Light.
(Photo: the plaque with the list of keeper names. Credit: R.G.)
POETIC LINK - There's a plaque at the Portland Head Light that noted famous Portland, Maine resident and poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow would walk to the lighthouse (it took 25 minutes by car from Portland, so it must have taken him half a day to walk from his house).
POETIC LINK - There's a plaque at the Portland Head Light that noted famous Portland, Maine resident and poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow would walk to the lighthouse (it took 25 minutes by car from Portland, so it must have taken him half a day to walk from his house).
Many believe that Longfellow was inspired by the Portland Head Light when in 1849, he wrote his poem called “The Lighthouse.”
WHAT MOVIES WERE FILMED THERE?
1) Snow Falling on Cedars (1999): The dramatic, snowy Maine coastline substituted for the Pacific Northwest in this Ethan Hawke film, heavily featuring the historic lighthouse.
2) Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2018): The site served as a key filming location for a hidden underwater base of operations in the fifth and sixth seasons of the Marvel series.
3) Soarin’ Around America (2001): The ride’s famous cinematic flight over North America includes a sweeping aerial shot of Portland Head Light and its nearby waters
NEXT: Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse!
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