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Is it a lighthouse? Was it a lighthouse?
Lighthouse Depot is now offering an exclusive Harbour Lights replica of the Mt. Greylock War Memorial. Since it is not available anywhere else, and with only 1800 pieces made you’ll want to be sure to order one soon for your collection. The April issue of Lighthouse Digest Magazine will feature an in-depth story on the Mt. Greylock War Memorial. Was it ever a lighthouse? Was it supposed to be a lighthouse before it became a World War I memorial? Is it a lighthouse? Find out the true story behind the Mt. Greylock War Memorial in the April issue. This is a story you will not want to miss. Subscribe or renew today by calling 1-800-758-1444 or on line at www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=13001#13001 for only $28.00 per year.
Bald Eagles nest at Little River
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has reported that a bald eagle’s nest is being built on Little River Island in Cutler, Maine. The nest is slated to be designated as "Essential Habitat" under Maine’s Endangered Species Act. This will most likely mean that the proposed pier to be built on the island this spring will have to be delayed until August or September. It will also require that volunteers working on the restoration of the Little River Lighthouse stay away from the restricted nesting area. Preserving a lighthouse is more than just restoring the dwellings. It is also about preserving the habitat and vegetation of the island.
Little River replica to be released.
Harbour Lights will soon be releasing a replica of Maine’s Little River Lighthouse. The limited edition replica will be available this spring but we encourage you to place your order early. It is available from Lighthouse Depot as item www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=42305#42305. Little River Light is the only lighthouse to have been relit as a Beacon of Freedom to the world after the terrorist attack of 9-11-01. Prior to that, the lighthouse had been dark for 26 years. The station is part of an ongoing restoration project of the www.LighthouseFoundation.orgAmerican Lighthouse Foundation.
Little River on TV
If you live in Maine, Little River Lighthouse will be featured on Bill Green’s Maine TV program on Saturday, Feb. 7th at 7pm. Copies of the program will be available for $10.00 from www.LighthouseFoundation.orgAmerican Lighthouse Foundation or by calling 207-646-0245.
Winter lighthouse series
The Newburyport Maritime Society in Newburyport, MA has announced their wintertime lighthouse lecture dates. The series of lectures runs through March 11 and all begin at 7 PM at the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport. Tickets are $10 each. Programs include the history of the Flying Santa of the Lighthouses, the history of Cape Cod Lighthouses, a history of the U. S. Lighthouse Service and more. For more information call them at 978-462-8681 or visit their web site at www.themaritimesociety.orgwww.themaritimesociety.org.
Grand Opening Gala
The folks at Wisconsin’s Pottawatomie Lighthouse will be celebrating a grand opening of the lighthouse to commemorate the restoration of the historic structure on Saturday, May 15, 2004. The events, which begin at 1PM, will feature a dedication ceremony, local musicians, refreshments and tours of the lighthouse. For more info contact Friends of Rock Island at or call 715-823-6873.
Will Maine lighthouse be moved to Michigan?
The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keeper’s Association is trying to figure out ways to move Boon Island Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Maine, to Michigan to make it a tourist attraction in the Straits of Mackinac. They have even hired International Chimney Co, the firm that moved Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina, to conduct a feasibility study on moving Maine’s tallest lighthouse from out in the ocean and across land to Michigan. Also, the most current issue of the Beacon, the official magaine of GLLKA gives three full pages to the proposed move, even showing a map where they plan to move the lighthouse to. The full story on this spoof, which has been picked up by the national wire services and Maine TV stations, can be found on line at www.LighthouseFoundation.orgAmerican Lighthouse Foundation or at the on line version of the Grand Rapids Press January 13 edition. Look for more stories to follow on this incredible ongoing saga.
Last month’s trivia answer
Last month’s trivia questions was, "I was once a famous Hollywood movie actor who ran for a governorship and I had a desire to be President of the United States. What lighthouse did I once own?" The answer is Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse West Tower in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, which was once owned by actor Gary Merrill. As a point of interest Gary Merrill was once married to actress Bette Davis who said the state of Maine was not big enough for the two of them. Merrill eventually sold the lighthouse and bought another lighthouse in Canada for his retirement years. Congratulations to Barbara Causey of Cairo, Georgia whose name was pulled from among the winning answers. We are sending Barbara a copy of the new Lighthouse Encyclopedia hard cover book, which is available from Lighthouse Depot as # 91348.
History Channel Magazine features lighthouses
The January/February issue of the The History Channel Magazine features a nine page story called, "Life at a Lighthouse, Then and Now" by Cindy C. Rogers. With great photos and beautiful layout you’ll not want to miss this one. If you can’t find it on the newsstands you might want to call them at 877-893-7946.
Ghost at Umpqua River?
Kenneth Crompton has written a new book about Oregon’s Umpqua River Lighthouse called, "Jessica, Lady of the Light." The question is, "Is it a ghost story, fiction or not?" The book is available for $10.00 postage paid from Kenneth Crompton, 605 E. Papago Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281.
New Jersey annual meeting
The New Jersey Lighthouse Society will be holding its annual meeting and photo contest on March 20th at 11am the Audubon Park Community Hall in Audubon, NJ. The photo contest is open to members only, but the meeting is open to the public. For more information go to: www.njlhs.burlco.orgwww.njlhs.burlco.org.
New Sankaty Head book
Jim Claflin has come out with another in a series of his many books. This one is about Sankaty Head Light on Nantucket Island, MA. The book is available for $11.45 postage paid from Jim Claflin, 1227 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602.
Currituck battle not over
The Outer Banks Conservationists, with your help, may have won the battle, which finally gave them legal ownership of the lighthouse, but the county government officials, who lost the battle, are apparently sore losers. Now they are giving the nonprofit lighthouse group all kinds of problems with zoning regulations, by taking away parking spaces and public bathrooms. You would think by now the county government would want to work together with the nonprofit lighthouse group for the good of the community. We’ll keep you posted on future developments.
Use of name causes legal battle
The community of Bandon, Oregon is trying to stop the Tillamook County Creamery Association from using the name Bandon Cheese, which also features the image of the Coquille River Lighthouse, on labels of its products, because the product isn’t actually made in Bandon. Bandon Cheese is federally trademarked, but Bandon officials don’t care and may seek legal action to protect the Bandon name saying they are doing nothing more than companies such as Hershey or Coca Cola would do to protect their name. What’s next? Will someone try to claim the own the word lighthouse, milk or perhaps the color blue? Let’s get serious!
Australia names official site
Australia has named a site on Kangaroo Island as an official Historic Shipwreck Site honoring those who lost their lives when the Finnish ship Fides, a three master schooner, sunk at the site in 1860. Ten sailors including the ship’s captain drowned. The five surviving crewmembers walked for two and a half days to Cape Borda Lighthouse to seek help. The government of Finland presented a scale model of the Fides to the Australians to commemorate the event. The replica is now on display at the Cape Borda Lighthouse Museum in the Flinders Chase National Park.
Lighthouses used as military posts
Did you know that during times of war, many of our nation’s lighthouses were used as observations posts to watch for enemy planes and ships? For example, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, U S Army artillery troops from Fort Rosecrans took over most of the Point Loma, CA Lighthouse Station to help guard San Diego Bay from Japanese ships and submarines. Military post and bunkers are still easily viewed at the site. Even more interesting is that Fort Rosecrans was named after an army general who built some lighthouses and nearly became vice president under Abraham Lincoln, a position which would have elevated him to the presidency when Lincoln was assassinated.
Island for sale, but not the lighthouse
Swan Island in Bass Strait off the coast of Tasmania is going up for auction. It is expected to sell for $1.5 to $1.7 million. However, the 1845 lighthouse on the island will not be included in the sale and will remain the property of the government . . . . . .
But a Maine lighthouse is for sale
Winter Harbor Lighthouse on Mark Island near Winter Harbor, Maine is for sale. The lighthouse was built in 1856 on a four-acre island that can be viewed in the distance by tourists visiting Acadia National Park. The lighthouse was discontinued in 1934 and purchased by Maine resident George Harmon who also purchased Maine’s Pumpkin Island Lighthouse. It was later purchased by Reginold and Bernice Richmond. Bernice wrote two books about the years she spent on there, "Winter Harbor" and "Our Island Lighthouse." It must be a good place to write books since another previous owner was an author of children’s books and the current owner, William Holden, has written several novels. The asking price is $2,150,000.00 for the lighthouse and the island. Serious buyers only can email bholden9@yahoo.com or write to Bill Holden, P.O. Box 217, Winter Harbor, Maine 04693. If you buy it, be sure you tell him you heard about it from us.
Lights dimming for Canadian keepers
The last remaining Canadian lighthouse keepers may soon be out of jobs, due largely in part to financial problems plaguing Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which runs the Canadian Coast Guard. In fact 600 jobs under the agency’s control may soon be gone. Concerns are running rampant that money that has been promised for national security simply is not available. Those concerns are especially deep over the state of surveillance and security of all Canadian ports, many of them gateways to foreign vessels, which many fear, could contain explosives or dangerous chemicals. But when push comes to shove, you can bet that the lighthouse keepers, who are at the bottom of the list, will be looking for new jobs thus ending another era of lighthouse history.
Caretakers for California light
The caretakers for the past two years at California’s Battery Point Lighthouse have left their position and moved on. The Del Norte County Historical Society, which owns the lighthouse, is expected to be advertising soon for new caretakers. So, if you’ve ever been interested in this type of a job, now might be a good time to send your resume and a letter of interest to Del Norte County Historical Society, 577 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
Jaffna fishermen want lighthouses
Jaffna fisherman want a lighthouse that was destroyed when the Sri Lanka army bombed it in 1996 to be rebuilt. As well as rebuilding the Vettilaikerni Lighthouse that was originally built by the British in 1870, the fishermen want a new lighthouse built for an area that has great possibilities for deep-sea fishing. The problem lies with the turmoil in the area. Rebuilding the old lighthouse would be a start but a new lighthouse is needed further north on the coast for the fishermen who often find themselves on beaches controlled by the Sri Lanka army beyond the line of control in Nagar Kovil, separating areas held by the Liberation Tigers and Colombo. All this because of an ethnic civil war.
Flying Santa passes on the reigns
George Morgan, the Flying Santa of the Lighthouses since 1982 is retiring. His flight to the lighthouses this past Christmas was his last, a tradition that has been going on since 1929. The red suit of the jolly man, who really looks like Santa, will be passed on to younger volunteers of the Friends of the Flying Santa. Look for the full story in the next issue of Lighthouse Digest.
Rare letter
A rare handwritten letter by Secretary of the Treasury William Forward to a Maine Congressman in 1842 about the firing of a Maine lighthouse keeper for political purposes has been donated to the www.LighthouseFoundation.orgAmerican Lighthouse Foundation for its Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells. The letter drew such attention about its discovery in Maine that it received major newspaper coverage in the Portland Press Herald, one of the states largest newspapers.
Color of the towers
Old books and light lists have proven that some of Maine’s light towers were once painted red. An 1880 light list and tide chart made available to sailing ships on the high seas confirms that Maine’s Little River Light and Cape Elizabeth Light towers were once painted red, rather than brown as we originally thought. However, Maine’s Bear Island Lighthouse was listed as being painted brown at that time. Lighthouses were often painted various colors to allow them to be better seen as day-markers among the landscape. These old books are now in the care of the www.LighthouseFoundation.orgAmerican Lighthouse Foundation, which hopes that they can be displayed at some future date.
Avery Point nears completion
Connecticut’s Avery Point Lighthouse restoration gets further along every day. The lighthouse, once thought as being beyond hope of being saved is now on its way to a new life. If you are in the New London, CT area, stop by and watch the work in progress. The Avery Point Lighthouse Society, a chapter of the www.LighthouseFoundation.orgAmerican Lighthouse Foundation, is saving the lighthouse.
This month’s Trivia Question
Ken Black, founder of the Shore Village Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine, and known in many circles as "Mr. Lighthouse," coined the phrase, "Lighthouses are like people; they come in many different shapes, sizes and colors and yes, even brightness." However, there are a small number of locations around the United States and the world where twin lighthouses were built that in many cases looked exactly the same as each other. In Massachusetts there were even more than two lighthouses that were built near each other that all looked the same. What was the name of those lighthouses? Send your correct answer to and we will randomly select one name from the winning answers for a wonderful prize from Lighthouse Depot.
New Depot catalog features some great products
Have you seen the most recent Lighthouse Depot catalog? If not, you might want to call us at 1-800-758-1444 for a copy or look at all the new products on our web site at www.LighthouseDepot.comwww.LighthouseDepot.com. One of our favorites is the Keeper of the Light Statue www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=13327#13327. Standing a full 20 inches tall, he is fast becoming a wonderful addition to the nautical décor in many homes and offices. We hope we have enough of them to go around! This is one collectible you will not want to miss out on!
Or, how about the new Lefton lighthouse replicas with revolving lights? It’s about time someone came up with this idea. With twelve different replicas to choose from, you’ll want to order more than one. One of our favorites, probably because we are actually located near it, is Nubble Light www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=58062#58062 while one of the more interesting replicas is the Alcatraz Lighthouse www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=57821#57821.
Also, continuing to sell like hot cakes is the film, "Lighthouses of Maine, A Journey Through Time," which is available for $19.95 in VHS as www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=26250#26250 and DVD www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=26251#26251.
Wintertime is the time when many people redecorate and this would be a good time to consider the beautiful Portland Head Light coffee table www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=10274#10274 or the Portland Head Light end table www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=10276#10276. And, if you really want to enhance the atmosphere of a room and bring a sense of expanded space you might want to consider the Lighthouse Cove Wall Mural www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=10191#10191.
When visiting our web site be sure to check out our www.LighthouseDepot.com/Clearance.cfmClearance Central where discontinued items are added on a regular basis. If you’re quick you can get some great deals here before they are sold out.
And if you want to learn more about lighthouses, don’t forget we carry a large selection of lighthouse books and videos.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we hope that you consider Lighthouse Depot for that special gift for that special person in your life.
Until next time, thanks for helping us to help keep alive the history and heritage of our nation’s lighthouses; we couldn’t do it without you. 
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