Isle au Haut (Robinson Point) Lighthouse
Isle au Haut, Maine
Built in 1907
Location:
Robinson Point, west coast of Isle au Haut; south side of western entrance to Isle au Haut Thorofare.
Private residence, overnight stays allowed.
Latitude: 44° 03' 54" N
Longitude: 68° 39' 06" W
Historic Stories:
The island of Isle au Haut is still one of Maine’s truly rustic island communities, and visitors will find the experience comes very close to what life would have been like for the lighthouse keepers. Today there are only about 50 year round residents, and most houses still don't have electricity. Isle au Haut was also the nation's last community to stop using crank-style telephones.
Isle au Haut Lighthouse was built in 1907 to guide mariners away from the rocky shoreline along the island, most of which is part of the Acadia National Park system, and was the final cylindrical brick light tower to be constructed in Maine. Land for the station on Robinson Point was purchased from Charles E. Robinson as the light was also called Robinson Point Lighthouse, although today it is more widely known as Isle au Haut Lighthouse. Robinson’s Point, where the lighthouse sits, leads into a shelter between Isle au Haut and Kimball Island where boats can find refuge during a storm. The Victorian style keeper's house sits atop a rocky ledge connected to the lighthouse by a walkway and is popular today as a bed and breakfast for tourists.
The first keeper was Frank Holbrook, previously stationed at Matinicus Rock. He stayed until 1922, and was replaced by the only other keeper, Harry Smith, who stayed on until it was automated in 1933. The property was then purchased by long time resident Charles Robinson, who originally sold the property to the government for the station.
| For the next 50 years generations of the Robinson family would spend their summers at the lighthouse station. | 
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In 1896, the property, minus the tower, was purchased by Jeff and Judi Burke. Judi was the daughter of a former Coast Guard keeper at Highland Light, Massachusetts. The Burkes converted the keeper's house into a bed and breakfast inn called the Keeper's House Inn, and Jeff even wrote a book that chronicled their remarkable efforts in making the place a confortable rustic experience for their visitors. They stayed on for over 20 years and sold the property to Dr. Marshall Chapman, an associate professor of geology at Morehead State University. The keeper’s house and lighthouse were then converted to a self-sustaining property. As stated on Chapman’s website “The property is an ecologist's dream. Powered by state of the art photo-voltaics and a 30 kilowatt generator, fed by unlimited crystal-clear water drawn from the sea by the magic of a reverse osmosis system, a garden-setting sewage treatment system using peat bogs and flower beds.” Chapman also stated he wanted the Burkes to stay on as consultants, to which the Burkes excitedly agreed.
Places to Visit Nearby:
Isle au Haut is accessible by the Isle au Haut Ferry from Stonington, but it is not a car ferry, nor does the Isle au Haut allow automobiles. The mail boat takes about 40 minutes to reach the island. The mail boat also has a special four-hour lighthouse tour on Sundays once a month to view six lighthouses.
Old Quarry Ocean Adventures provides views of the lighthouse (sometimes lands on the island) and five others on its lighthouse tours. Windjammer cruises out of Camden, Rockland, and Rockport may pass by the lighthouse.
The lighthouse grounds are open to the public, with accommodations for overnight stay at the keeper’s quarters, and a few limited homes. Want to stay at a lighthouse that is a product of conservation? Isle au Haut Lighthouse is solar powered, transforms seawater to clean drinking water, and uses compost for waste, among other methods to keep it self sustained. The Keeper’s House Inn at the Isle au Haut Lighthouse station provides few amenities and plenty of opportunity to disconnect from life’s hectic pace.
The lighthouse is about a mile hike from the town landing. The lighthouse is technically considered to be part of Acadia, facing Penobscot Bay.
About half of Isle au Haut is federal parkland under Acadia National Park, the other half is privately owned, supporting summer residents and a year-round fishing community. To camp in the Acadia Park, reservations must be made in advance.
| There are 17 miles of hiking and biking trails on this island, along nature preserves, providing bird watching and a small beach area, but bring your own supplies, as there are few amenities here. |  |
If you are looking for a true rustic experience, to get away from modern civilization, this is the place.
Directions to the Ferry at Stonington
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The Isle au Haut is accessible by the Isle au Haut Ferry from Stonington.
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To get to the dock at Stonington for the trip to Isle au Haut, Heading northward, take Interstate 295 and 95 to Augusta,
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Pick up US Route 3 to Belfast,
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Then take Route 1 & 3 east through Bucksport to Orland,
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Follow Route 15 south to Stonington
- Heading Southward, take US Route 95 to Bangor then 395 to Brewer, then take Rte. 15 south to Stonington.
- The lighthouse is about a mile hike from the town landing.
Contact Info:
Isle au Haut: Acadia National Park
Attention: Isle au Haut Reservations
P.O. Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Isle au Haut
The Keeper’s House Inn
Box 26
Isle au Haut, ME 04645
(207) 335-2990
Website: www.keepershouse.com/
Local Boat Cruise
Isle au Haut Boat Company
Daily mail boat trips to the island of Isle au Haut in the summer season. They also provide puffin cruises to Seal Island.
They offer a special annual 4-5 hour cruise during Maine's lighthouse weekend in September to see up to six lighthouses on Saturday: Isle au Haut Light, Mark Island Light (also known as Deer Island Thorofare), Goose Rocks Light, Brown's Head Light, Heron Neck Light, and if weather permits, Saddleback Ledge.
On Sunday, they have a special tour to four other lighthouses: Hockamock Head Light (Swan's Island), Great Duck Island, Bass Harbor Head Light and Blue Hill Bay (Eggemoggin) Lighthouse.
Isle au Haut Boat Services
P.O. Box 709
Stonington, ME 04681
Tel. (207) 367-5193
www.isleauhaut.com
themailboat@isleauhaut.com
Scenic Flights
Penobscot Island Air
Chartering a variety of lighthouse viewing flights.
Knox County Regional Airport
Owls Head ME 04854
Phone: (207) 596-7500
Cellular: (207) 542-4944
Fax: (207) 596-6870
info@penobscotislandair.net
Books to Explore
To order a signed paperback copy: Available in online bookstores in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
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The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants of sail were the ten original six-masted coal schooners and one colossal seven-masted vessel, built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies, and measured longer than a football field! This book, balanced with plenty of color and vintage images, showcases true stories that include competitions, accidents, battling destructive storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages. |
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses in the northeast coastline, along with plenty of coastal attractions and tours near each beacon, and contact info to plan your special vacations. You'll also find lighthouses you can stay overnight at. Look inside! |
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