Managing Organization:
Spring Point Ledge Light Trust
Telephone: 207-799-6337
Website: http://www.www.springpointlight.org
Email:
Contact Address Information:
P. O. Box 2311
South Portland
Maine, 04106, United States
Notes:
Spring Point Ledge Light is one of three surviving "spark plug" type lighthouses left in Maine. Under the Maine Lights Program the lighthouse was transferred in 1998 to the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse Trust. The site is managed by the Portland Harbor Museum.
Tower Height: 54
Height of Focal Plane: 54
Characteristic and Range: Flashing white every six seconds, two red sectors.
Description of Tower: Cylindrical white brick
This light is operational
Other Buildings?
None.
Date Established: 1897 (5/24/1897)
Date Present Tower Built: 1897
Date Automated: c. 1960s
Optics: 1897: Fifth order Fresnel lens; now 300 mm.
Fog Signal: 1897: Fog bell and striking mechanism on side of tower; now automated fog horn with one blast every 10 seconds.
Current Use: Active aid to navigation.
Open To Public? Yes.
Museum?
There are occasional open houses when the public can tour the inside of the lighthouse. Call (207) 799-6337 for information. The Portland Harbor Museum is located near the lighthouse and has exhibits on 19th century shipbuilding and the history of Portland Harbor. Hours: April 19 to Memorial Day - Friday and Saturday and Sunday 10 to 4. Memorial Day to Columbus Day - seven days a week from 10 to 4. Columbus Day to November 30 - Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 to 4.
Directions:
To get to the Portland Harbor Museum and Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse: from I-295 take Exit 6A and follow ME 77 through Portland, over the bridge to South Portland. The bridge leads directly onto Broadway. Go straight ahead on Broadway until it ends (stop sign) at Fort Road. Follow Fort Road through the Southern Maine Technical College campus to its end at the water. The museum is on your right. The lighthouse can be reached by a mildly strenuous walk on the 900-foot breakwater. From I-95, take Exit 7 and continue straight out of the toll booth for about 2 miles until the road ends at Route 1 (traffic light). Turn left on Route 1 (Main Street) and bear right at the fourth traffic light onto Broadway. Follow the directions above to the museum. Spring Point Ledge Light can also be seen from some scenic cruises leaving Portland. Bay View Cruises has a variety of trips; call (207) 761-0496. Mainely Tours of Portland offers a guided tour in a mini-coach bus that includes admission to the Portland Harbor Museum and a look at Spring Point Ledge Light; call (207) 774-0808 for information.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Keepers: William A. Lane (1897-?); Daniel J. Doyle (1915-1918).
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