Name and Location

The Burnt Island Light is located on Burnt Island, off the coast of Southport, Maine, United States.

Construction and History

The Burnt Island Light was first constructed in 1821 as a small wooden tower. In 1852, it was replaced with a new structure made of stone, which stood at an impressive 51 feet (15.5 meters) tall. The lighthouse was built to guide vessels through the treacherous waters of the Gulf of Maine and to warn of rocky shoals.

Architecture and Materials

The Burnt Island Light is an example of a traditional Maine-style lighthouse, with a square tower and a pyramidal roof. The structure is made of granite and has a distinctive red lantern room at the top.

Light and Navigation

The original light was a fixed white light, but in 1852, it was upgraded to a first-order Fresnel lens, which produced a flashing white light every 15 seconds. The light had a range of approximately 14 nautical miles (25 kilometers).

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse via a walking trail from the mainland or by boat. The island offers stunning views of the surrounding waters and the Maine coast. There are no formal tours or facilities on the island.

Notable Views and Landscape

• The surrounding waters are home to a variety of marine life, including fish, seals, and birds.
• Burnt Island is a small, rocky island with limited vegetation.

Technical and Operational Details

In 1936, the lighthouse was automated, replacing the need for manual operation by a lighthouse keeper. Today, the Burnt Island Light is still an active aid to navigation, although it no longer serves as a primary source of light.

The Burnt Island Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as reference number 82000476, recognizing its significance in American maritime history.