BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE
Bass Harbor, Maine
I got up on a Sunday morning and left at 4:30 AM to drive all the way up to Bass Harbor from South Portland. I got there about 7:30 AM and I was the only one around except for some man who appeared to reside there. After exchanging pleasantries, I headed over to the stairs that lead down the north side of the light house. They wind down and there are a lot of them, finally reaching the rocky shoreline, comprised mainly of very large boulders. Now it's up to you to get a good vantage point. I should have gone all the way across to the south side, but I was determined to see as many more that same day as I drove back to S. Portland. So I took a few shots from there and then you can walk around the south side of the residence and down to the lighthouse where the above picture was taken. You can't go in the tower or the residence and you can't get down to the shoreline from this side.
The Lighthouse Board built this one in 1858 to mark the entrance to the harbor that bears this town's name. The tower is only 36 feet high but its perch puts the focal plane at 56 feet. It originally held a 5th order Fresnel lens but was upgraded to a 4th order lens in 1902. The light has always been a red flashing one, but it actually goes off every four seconds. This is called occulting as opposed to a light that is initially off and flashes on every so many seconds. I just learned that myself.
They built a fog signal building for a bell in 1898, a little pyramid brick thing. The bell is no longer used but you can see it in the above photo at the base of the tower. The station was automated in 1974. Lucky folks that get to live there, although their neighbors can't just walk over for a morning cup of coffee.
Some folks think this is one of the prettiest lighthouses in America. I caught it on a perfect fall day in September, but I'd have to say that my favorite stands watch elsewhere.
Here's how I saw it:
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OF THE MOUNTAINS
John B Caddell
Copyright 2001