Pond Island Light

Year Built

1821

Cost

$10,500

Type

Cylindrical Tower

Height

20 feet

Location

Kennebec River Entrance

Automated Year

1963

First Lit

1855 (current structure)

Lens Type

Fifth order Fresnel lens (original), 9.8 inches (250 mm) (current)

Fog Signal

Horn: 2 every 30s

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White w/black trim

Last Keeper - Date

Ronald D. Howard (?-1960)

Description

A cylindrical tower attached to a one-and-a-half-story, wooden keeper’s dwelling by a work shed.

Brief History

•  1849, Vessel Hanover ran into sand bar near the lighthouse and sank with all hands on board. Only a dog survived.
•  1855, Lighthouse rebuilt as a cylindrical brick tower. 5th order Fresnel lens installed.
•  1869, Fog bell tower and striking mechanism destroyed in a storm.
•  1963, Lighthouse automated, Fresnel lens replaced by modern lens. Keeper’s house, oil house, fog signal building and boathouse all were dismantled.
•  Currently the island serves as a bird sanctuary by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.