Matinicus Rock Light

Year Built

1827

Cost

$3,700

Type

Cylindrical twin towers

Height

48 feet

Location

6 miles south of Matinicus Island, Town of Criehaven

Automated Year

1983

First Lit

1857

Lens Type

Third order Fresnel lens (original), VRB-25 (current)

Fog Signal

Horn: every 15s, operates continuously.

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

Natural

Last Keeper - Date

Roscoe Fletcher (1936-1945)

Description

he light station occupies the center of the rock, and includes two towers, a keeper's house, shed, and boathouse. The dock is located on the northwest side of the rock. The two towers are 41 feet in height, built out of ashlar granite stone.

Brief History

•  In 1827 the United States Lighthouse Service erected a pair of wooden light towers and a cobblestone keeper's residence on Matinicus Rock.
•  1846, Wooden towers were replaced by granite towers and the granite keeper’s house built.
•  Matinicus Rock was outfitted with a 1,500-pound fog bell in 1856 and then a steam fog signal in 1870.
•  A storm in November 1950 knocked out the machinery that powered the station’s fog signal and electric light, and the lighthouse went dark for the first time in many years.
•  In 1983, coastguardsmen removed the Fresnel lens from the south tower and installed a modern beacon as part of the station’s automation.