After a storm in 1831 severely
damaged the area,
A 2,500 foot breakwater and
lighthouse were built at the
entrance to Portland Harbor.
Begun in 1836 but lack of funding
delayed it until 1855,
when a small octagonal wooden
tower with a sixth order
Fresnel lens was put into operation.
In The 1870's the breakwater was
extended about 200 more feet,
a new lighthouse was built on the end.
A keeper's house was built in 1889.
It was powered with electricity in 1934,
and the keeper's house removed,
the tending of the light turned
over to the keeper of Spring Point Light.
With World War II and expanding
shipyard business, the breakwater was
shortened to only 100 feet from shore.
Which made the lighthouse obsolete.
The light,extinguished in 1942,
was donated to the city of Portland.
After standing abandoned and in
disrepair, restoration began in 1989,
with the monies coming from state,
federal and local organizations.
