Petit Manan Lighthouse

Petit Manan Lighthouse, Petit Manan Island, near Corea, Maine

Original structure was built in 1817, with the present 119' tall tower built in 1854.

PETIT MANAN LIGHT

OFF PETIT MANAN POINT NEAR MILBRIDGE, MAINE
Station Established: 1817
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1855
Operational? YES
Automated? 1972
Deactivated: N/A
Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED
Construction Materials: GRANITE BLOCKS W/BRICK LINING
Tower Shape: CONICAL
Markings/Pattern: NATURAL W/BLACK LANTERN
Relationship to Other Structure: SEPERATE
Original Lens: SECOND ORDER FRESNEL LENS

Historical Information:

• In 1817 a small stone lighthouse was built on Petit Manan Point. It soon fell into disrepair. In 1855, the 119 foot granite tower was built. This is the second tallest light in Maine. 
• The coast of Maine is subject to violent storms. In 1856 the tower was weakened when a storm knocked out some of the blocks. A storm in 1869 caused the tower to sway so much that some of the weights that turn the lens fell destroying part of the staircase. In 1887 some much needed stabilizing iron tie rods were installed.
• In 1875 a wood frame one and a half story keeper’s house was built. Other structures at the site included a brick fog signal, an oil house, a boat house and an engine house.
• The light was automated in 1972. The enormous second order lens is on display at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine. Restoration was completed in 1998.
• The light station is part of the Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge and is not open to the public. There is a colony of breeding Puffins on the island. There are boat tours to the island. The light remains an active aid to navigation.

Researched and written by Melissa Buckler, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society.