Lighthouses

DICE HEAD LIGHT - Maine

Location: Penobscot River - Castine
Currently Operational: Yes
Height: 134 feet
Year Established: 1828

Dice Head Light, a beacon of maritime history, stands in the charming town of Castine, Maine. Established in 1828, this lighthouse has witnessed the evolution of the town and the Penobscot River's bustling trade. The original conical rubblestone tower, which measures forty-two feet from its base to the focal plane, was accompanied by a one-and-a-half-story keeper's house. It first shone its light on November 5, 1828, guiding vessels with its ten lamps and fourteen-inch reflectors.

The lighthouse's history is intertwined with that of Castine, a town that boasts a place on the National Register of Historic Places and a rich narrative dating back to 1613 when it was settled by French, Dutch, and British settlers. Notably tranquil, Dice Head Light's past is devoid of the shipwrecks and dramatic rescues that characterize many lighthouse tales. Instead, it offers a peaceful glimpse into the life of a lighthouse keeper, with stories of the routine duties of Jacob Shelburne, its first keeper, reflecting a serene existence against the backdrop of Maine's rugged coastline.

Dice Head Light

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