Cuckolds Light

Year Built

1892

Cost

$25,000

Type

Octagonal Tower on Dwelling

Height

48 feet

Location

Boothbay Harbor

Automated Year

1975

First Lit

1907 (current structure)

Lens Type

VRB-25

Fog Signal

Horn: 1 every 15s

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White

Last Keeper - Date

Kevin Always (1972 – 1974)

Description

The barren rock upon which the Cuckold station is located was first marked by a wooden tripod daymark. Because the daymark was of little use at nighttime or in foggy weather, a fog signal station was established in 1892. A light tower was added to the station in 1907 due to increased fishing vessel traffic in the bay.

Brief History

•  Congress appropriated the requested amount in March 1891.
•  Work on the structures began in January 1892 at the Lighthouse Board’s shop in Portland and then continued on the actual site three months later.
•  The Cuckolds Station was automated in 1974, and a few years later, due to problems with vandalism, the Coast Guard demolished the boathouse and keepers’ dwelling.
•  In 2004, Cuckolds Lighthouse was deemed excess to the Coast Guard and offered to eligible entities under the provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.
•  In June 2014, the beautifully restored lighthouse opened to overnight guests as the Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse.