Portland Head Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth ME

Portland Head Light is probably the best known and most photographed light station on the Coast of Maine, and its appeal never diminishes. The history of this light goes all the way back to 1784, when locals petitioned the governor of the Bay Colony, John Hancock, for a light. President Washington appointed the first keeper.
The stories surrounding the light station are many and varied, replete with disasters, near disasters, and heroism. The keeper's house is as famous as the tower itself. The current one was built in 1891, and completely restored by 1992, and is now owned by the Town of Cape Elizabeth and operated as a museum.

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What people say... I live in Maine, and I have visited the Portland Head Light often.It has had a long history. George Washington ordered it builtas one of four light houses the new government needed when hebecame the president. Among other things, it is the site of afamous wreck. In the late 1800s, a ship was thrown entirely outof the water during a storm. It came to rest on the rock rightin front of the lighthouse. There is a famous picture of it. Longago, I built a wooden model of Portland Head, and I also boughttwo paper kits from Papermodels International in two scales andmade them up. I am glad you chose it for a subject.