Lighthouses

HALFWAY ROCK LIGHT - Maine

 

Location: Casco Bay off Bailey Island
Currently Operational: Yes
Height: 76 feet
Year Established: 1871

 

Halfway Rock Light stands on a bare granite ledge near the center of Casco Bay, living up to its name as a midpoint marker between the bay’s outer islands and Portland Harbor. First lit in 1871, the cylindrical white granite tower was built to withstand treacherous waters and harsh Maine winters. Because of its exposed location, life for the keepers was famously difficult, with supply runs often delayed by rough seas.

The light was automated in 1975, ending nearly a century of human occupation. Today, Halfway Rock Light remains an active aid to navigation, though it stands alone as storms have destroyed all other structures on the island. Although it isn’t open to the public, the lighthouse is a favorite subject for boaters and photographers, especially when seas crash dramatically against its isolated rock base.

 

Halfway Rock Light

 

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