Portland Head Light Station
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Portland Head Light Station Construction began in 1787 at the directive of George Washington, and was completed on January 10, 1791. Whale oil lamps were originally used for illumination. In 1855 a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed; that was replaced by a second-order Fresnel lens in 1864. That lens was replaced with an DCB-224 aerobeacon in 1958. Construction began in 1787 at the directive of George Washington, and was completed on January 10, 1791. Whale oil lamps were originally used for illumination. In 1855 a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed; that was replaced by a second-order Fresnel lens in 1864. That lens was replaced with an DCB-224 aerobeacon in 1958. In 1787, while Maine was still part of the state of Massachusetts, George Washington engaged two masons from the town of Portland, Jonathan Bryant and John Nichols, and instructed them to take charge of the construction of a lighthouse on Portland Head. Washington reminded them that the colonial government was poor and that the materials used to build the lighthouse should be taken from the fields and shores. They could be handled nicely when hauled by oxen on a drag, he said. |
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Portland Head Light Station Construction began in 1787 at the directive of George Washington, and was completed on January 10, 1791. Whale oil lamps were originally used for illumination. In 1855 a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed; that was replaced by a second-order Fresnel lens in 1864. That lens was replaced with an DCB-224 aerobeacon in 1958. Photo 85, Oct 2010 |
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Portland Head Light Station Photo 53, Oct 2010 |
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Portland Head Light Station with Ram Island Light in the background, Oct 2010 Photo 55, Oct 2010 |
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Portland Head Light Station Photo 60, Oct 2010 |
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Portland Head Light Station Photo 64, Oct 2010 |
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Portland Head Light Station Photo 82, Oct 2010 |
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Portland Head Light Station Photo 83, Oct 2010 |
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Portland Head Light Station Photo 86, Oct 2010 |
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Portland Head Light Station seen from near Spring Point Ledge Light Photo 102, Oct 2010 |
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Portland Head Light Station Ram Island Ledge Light is visible to the left. Construction began in 1787 at the directive of George Washington, and was completed on January 10, 1791. Whale oil lamps were originally used for illumination. In 1855 a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed; that was replaced by a second-order Fresnel lens in 1864. That lens was replaced with an DCB-224 aerobeacon in 1958. Photo 33, Sept 2011 |
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Portland Head Light Station Photo 34, Sept 2011 |
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Portland Head Light Station Photo 36, Sept 2011 |
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