There are numerous lighthouses up and down the eastern coast of the United States, but few have the notoriety of the Portland Head Light, located in Portland, Maine. It is the oldest lighthouse in the state of Maine and attracts attention from both residents and tourists looking to do everything from have a picnic to purchase a souvenir to enjoy a lobster roll.
In becoming a symbol of the people and community, the Portland Head Light has been able to showcase what it means when a monument becomes a critical part of the culture and economy of an entire region.
Commissioned by George Washington
While construction began on the Portland Head Light in 1787, it was George Washington’s commission in 1790 that enabled it to be completed. The original tower measured 72′ from base to lantern deck and was lit with 16 whale oil lamps. It was first lit on January 10, 1791.
The Head Light provided a warning to ships about the location of the coastline for decades, and even played a role in the Civil War when raids on shipping in and out of Portland Harbor became commonplace. It continued to provide ships with a reference for the approaching coast, although on Christmas Eve in 1886 a ship struck the ledge at the Head Light. In 1975, the whistle house had to be rebuilt due to it being badly damaged in a storm.
On Aug. 7, 1989, the Portland Head Light was decommissioned and replaced with an automated light and fog signal. That’s part of the reason that the Museum at Portland Head Light is contained within the former Keepers’ Quarters. It has a number of lighthouse lenses and interpretative displays while the history of the Portland Head Light is told through exhibits displaying artifacts and documents, navigational aids, Fresnel lenses, models and photographs.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, the Portland Head Light has been able to utilize this history to make a major impact on the community in numerous ways.
An Integral Part of Portland
For generations now, visitors have been able to visit the Portland Head Light to take in the history of the site as well as the amazing views of the coast. Both residents and tourists have been able to take the day to experience everything the site has to offer, as the park is open year round from sunrise to sunset. What they do during that time can vary a great deal though.
Individuals desiring to schedule a wedding or ceremony at the Portland Head Light have the option to do so, while there are facilities that can be reserved for a fee. Company gatherings, family reunions, field trips, birthdays, weddings and scouting activities are just a few examples of what groups do when they use the park throughout the year.
The Portland Head Light has become an integral part of city maps as well as guided tours, providing visitors with a specific destination that appears on everything from promotional materials to souvenirs. It’s an important source of revenue for operators of trolleys and boats since they stop by the site on a frequent basis. These crowds also support the four vendors in the park during the season that offer crepes, lobster rolls, sandwiches and gelato.
There are also numerous means of direct revenue, as the museum and gift shop provides visitors with a place where they can purchase anything from books to photographs to ornaments to charms. The site also charges a fee for each tour bus and for each commercial passenger van each time they enter the park.
Acclaimed Maine photographers and ones from all over the world have photographed the Portland Head Light at various times of the day throughout the year, capturing the beauty that has allowed it to becomes an icon of Maine. In doing so, the Portland Head Light has been able to become an integral part of Portland and become identified with it in ways that continue to resonate with residents and visitors.
Weathering the Challenges of Nature and Time
To commemorate the 350th anniversary of greater Portland, the Portland Head Light was rededicated with an inscription that identified is as “an enduring symbol of the rugged, solid characteristics of a magnificent coastline and a proud people weathering the challenges of nature and time.”
In becoming a symbol for the area that is recognized in countless places and way, the Portland Head Light has been able to impact the culture and economy of the area. Like other monuments that represent an entire region, this impact is indicative of what it can mean for a monument to positively influence a community in the present and future.
