Portland Head Light Size report
Maine's largest city, Portland, is a popular tourist destination for its stunning waterfront views and historic buildings. The most worth seeing is the colorful lighthouses here. Maine is the state of lighthouses, with more than 60 lighthouses, large and small, often the iconic scenery on postcards.
The most famous tourist attraction is the Portland Head Lighthouse, built in 1791 in Williamsburg Park on the shores of Cape Elizabeth. The park is free, and so is the parking; parking spaces there may seldom be vacant during the summer due to the influx of tourists.
The popular landmark is owned and managed by the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The Museum at Portland Head Light is contained within the former Keepers' Quarters. The lighthouse tower is only open to the public one day per year on Maine Open Lighthouse Day. Let's find out more facts about the famous lighthouse before visiting.
Portland Head Lighthouse Size And Structure
The Portland Head Lighthouse stands on the shoreline of Portland Harbor. Construction on the building, which began in 1787 and was first lit on January 10, 1791, is Maine's oldest lighthouse. The Portland Head Lighthouse is now fully automated. The lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington that year. The lighthouse consists of a white cone-shaped tower and several irregular, lovely Victorian houses with red roofs, forming a beautiful landscape at the southwest entrance of Portland Harbor.
A one-story dwelling built to replace the first keeper's house was erected in 1816. It measured 34' x 20' with two rooms, a cellar, and a porch in the rear. The current Keepers' Quarters building was constructed in 1891 as a two-story duplex.
Dimensions of Portland Head Lighthouse
The original tower measured 72 feet from the base to the lantern deck and was lit with 16 whale oil lamps. By 1865, the tower was raised 20 feet. Today, Portland Head Light stands 80 feet (24 m) above ground and 101 feet (31 m) above sea level; its white conical tower is connected to a dwelling. The light flashes and can be seen from 24 nautical miles (44 kilometers) away.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1791 |
| Tower Height | 24m (80ft) |
| Focal height | 31m (101ft) |
| Light Range | 44 km (28 mi) |
Conclusion
Portland Head Lighthouse was the first lighthouse completed by the United States government, and is the most visited, painted, and photographed lighthouse in New England. Spring and summer are the best seasons for visiting and taking pictures at Portland Head Lighthouse, with blooming flowers, meandering coastlines, red and white houses, and towering lighthouses, making them an excellent drawing on many postcards.
