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Portland Head Light

portland, ME

This beautiful lighthouse shows a flashing white light every four seconds, stands one hundred and one feet above sea level and makes good use of it's horn!

The building was started in 1787, ran out of money and construction stopped. When George Washington became president in 1789, he showed a special interest in maritime commerce and appointed his Secretary of State, Alexander Hamilton to get things done.

The first lighting took place on January 10, 1791 by Keeper Joseph Greenleaf.

Some notable wrecks happened within sight of this light. In 1868, one such wreck was the steamer Bohemian, bound from Liverpool to Portland with two hundred and eighteen passengers, mostly immigrants, on board. She ran into heavy seas and fog and crashed into Alden's Rock, about three miles from the light.

One fully loaded lifeboat fell from the hoist, dumping dozens of people into the icy waters below. I do not know how many souls perished, but five lifeboats did make it to safety. One of those survivors was a John Fitzgerald, who did well in Boston politics.

Like most lighthouses, Portland Head light captures the imagination and creates a bond with all that see her.

She is unforgettable.