Location: Bass Harbor Lighthouse (Acadia NP / Mount Desert Island)

(image: First light over Bass Harbor Lighthouse as morning fog drapes the sea)

History: Congress appropriated $5,000 for the construction of the Bass Harbor Head Light after it was determined that “sufficient need” existed to have a lighthouse near the entrance to Bass Harbor. This was followed by the addition of a fog bell and tower in 1876. However, this was replaced by a substantially larger 4,000 pound (1,800 kg) bell in 1898 when it was installed within the tower. Originally, there was no easy access via a boat landing until one was added in 1894. On January 21, 1988, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places, reference number 87002273, under the title of Bass Harbor Head Light Station. The United States Coast Guard number for this station is 1-2335. The lighthouse still belongs to the U.S. Coast Guard.

There is also a keeper's house that remains pretty much in its original form other than the addition of a 10 foot section that was added in 1900. The keeper's house is no longer used as a residence for a U.S. Coast Guard family, or anyone else.

The original lighthouse lens was a Fifth Order Fresnel. This was replaced by a Fourth Order Fresnel with a range of 13 nautical miles (15 miles or 24 km) in 1901.

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Location Information: 

When you arrive at the lighthouse, you will see a path in plain sight on the right side. This will take you next to the tower and lighthouse viewing area where you have a great vantage point to see a panoramic view of the harbor and the islands in the distance. There are some plaques with detailed information about the grounds, the lighthouse, and its history. This also provides a great close-up view of the lighthouse tower itself from the outside only as the building is being used as a private residence.

On the left side of the buildings is a path that appears to go into the tree canopy. Take this path then, bear right. This will take you to a stairway that follows down the front face of the cliff, eventually arriving at a prime spot for capturing a picture of the lighthouse and cliffs like you may have seen here on AcadiaMagic.com or elsewhere. Use utmost caution if you venture down to the rocks below. There are no guardrails or boardwalks for safety once you get to the bottom. This is the rugged and unpredictable Maine coast with its roughness, loose stones, and slippery spots. Also, keep in mind that, if you are not in the best of shape, the climb back up will require more effort since it is steep. There are platforms every so often to allow a short rest (while standing).

You may be surprised to hear that the Bass Harbor Head Light is in Tremont rather than Bass Harbor. The fact is, Bass Harbor is actually a village in the municipality of Tremont along with Bernard, Gotts Island, Seal Cove, and West Tremont.