As a child, on a rare night drive along the coast with my family on the west coast of India, I had seen a beacon flashing light. My father explained that it was a lighthouse and why they existed. Soon, we moved into a house that had a great view and the lighthouse on the other side of the river, a trusted landmark signalling that the coast is near, became a friend. The light flashed in a pattern- three times in quick succession and then a long pause, then again three bursts followed by a long pause. That's when my interest in lighthouses began. Sailboats, and dolphins were two other favorite nautical elements.
One of the main attractions to visit the New England coastline was to check out lighthouses- there were so many of them, and each with a distinct appeal. I had carefully chosen a few that were on our route. Some very famous and some obscure, but just as interesting as their famous counterparts. In the end, we managed to see twenty of them. Featuring in this post are eight.
2. The lighthouse at Fort Constitution, Portsmouth, New Hampshire was the next one- on a grey and windy morning, it stood there like it has always, warning sailors of the hazards and welcoming them home!
This sign explains the inspiration behind the structure, and its brief history.
A close up of the details.
The mailbox of the lighthouse is very unique, and apt!
One of the main attractions to visit the New England coastline was to check out lighthouses- there were so many of them, and each with a distinct appeal. I had carefully chosen a few that were on our route. Some very famous and some obscure, but just as interesting as their famous counterparts. In the end, we managed to see twenty of them. Featuring in this post are eight.
1. We saw the first one within a few hours of landing in Boston. It was the Eastern Point Lighthouse. Well maintained and at the end of a narrow rocky pathway, it stood there in all its glory! It was a happy start to the lighthouse discovery mission!
2. The lighthouse at Fort Constitution, Portsmouth, New Hampshire was the next one- on a grey and windy morning, it stood there like it has always, warning sailors of the hazards and welcoming them home!
3. Ram Island Ledge Light, Portland, Maine as seen from Portland Head Light, is a historic granite structure. Not accessible to the public, it is privately owned.
4. The keeper's house of Cape Elizabeth Light (Cape Elizabeth Two Lights), Maine is also now a private residence and not accessible to the public. It is well maintained by the owners and was a delight to see from afar.
5. The Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Portland, Maine is the only caisson type of lighthouse in the United States that is accessible from land. A caisson lighthouse is a lighthouse whose super structure rests on a metal or concrete caisson. Located at the edge of a breakwater, it has been around for 117 years.
6. Portland Breakwater Light, or Bug Light, Portland Maine was the most fairy tale like lighthouse I saw. Not very tall, as compared to some others we saw earlier, the details on the this one were beautiful!
This sign explains the inspiration behind the structure, and its brief history.
A close up of the details.
7. Fort Point Lighthouse, Stockton Springs, Maine, is another historical landmark. On the grounds of this light station, is a keeper's house, a bell house, an oil house and a barn.
The mailbox of the lighthouse is very unique, and apt!
8. Burlington Breakwater Light, Lake Champlain, Vermont (1857)
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