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Perkins Island

Squirrel Point Lighthouse

Squirrel Point lighthouse

Arrowsic, Maine
Built in 1898

Location:

On Arrowsic Island along the Kennebec River on the Boothbay side. You can hike from a path off Bald Head Road from Route 127.

Latitude: 43° 49' 00" N
Longitude: 69° 48' 11" W

 

Historic Stories:

Arrowsic was one of the first settlements in New England with more than fifty families by 1670. In 1676, Indians stormed inside the stockade gate and massacred nine of the families.

The city of Bath was an important shipbuilding center in the 1800s. As river traffic continued to grow, the Kennebec Steamship Company and miscellaneous towboat operators cooperated to provide spotty guidance by hanging lanterns, which were hard to see in foggy and stormy days.

In 1895, President Grover Cleveland successfully appropriated funds from Congress for construction of the Squirrel Point Lighthouse. Squirrel Point light

At the same time he also appropriated funding for additional lighthouses along the Kennebec River at Perkins Island and Doubling Point. Construction was completed for all four stations by 1898.

For a while, the keeper at the Kennebec River Range Light Station was given the added responsibility of tending the Squirrel Point Lighthouse.

Squirrel Point light with church across the river The lighthouse was finally automated in 1979.

There were many lawsuits filed in the following years regarding owner’s rights and tenancy, education, conservation and preservation of the site while its buildings started to fall into disrepair. By 2005 all rights, title, and interest in Squirrel Point were put back in the federal government’s hands.

In 2008, a 15-year lease was granted to the Chewonki Organization with the contingency to offer environmental education, natural history, conservation, and wilderness programs.

Squirrel Point Lighthouse along the Kennebec River

 

Exploring the Lighthouse and Grounds:

Arrowsic is a tiny coastal island village. Some of the best views of the lighthouse can be seen from various boat tours that go by the lighthouse from Bath and from Boothbay Harbor.

For those who want to get a close up view of the lighthouse and surrounding grounds, the lighthouse is less than a mile hike in the woods on relatively level ground on well marked trails.

squirrel point lighthouse Squirrel Point's five acres are situated amongst 640 acres of conservation land.

From the same trail at Bald Head Road mentoned below, you may follow a longer blue markered Nature Conservancy trail to Bald Head.

 

 

Driving and Hiking Directions



Distant Views:
You can also view the station from across the Kennebec River in Phippsburg.

 

Contact Info:
Citizens for Squirrel Point


Squirrel point light tower

 

Local Boat Tours

Boat cruises mentioned below may offer many types of cruises. While some may offer specific lighthouse cruises that pass by Squirrel Point Lighthouse, some will pass by the lighthouse as part of charters, narrated wildlife and historic tours, and other types of excursions.

Maine Maritime Museum
Awesome lighthouse tours along the Kennebec River, to see up to six lighthouses. Also nature tours, and the Bath shipyard tour. View historical exhibts and particiate in various workshops, or just explore the grounds, including the country's last wooden surviving shipyard.
243 Washington Street
Bath, ME 04530
Phone: (207) 443-1316
Fax: (207) 443-1665

 

Cap'n Fish's Whale Watch and Scenic Nature Cruises
Includes lighthouses along the Kennebec River and Boothbay Harbor.
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
(207)-633-3244
(207)-633-2626
Or toll free 1-800-636-3244

 

River Run Tours
Chartered pontoon boat for lighthouse excursions. A nice and relaxing way to view lighthouses, natural formations, and wildlife.
River Run Tours, Inc.
28 Walnut Point
Woolwich, Maine 04578
(207) 504-BOAT(2628)

 

Balmy Days Cruises
Offers special lighthouse cruises to Squirrel Island, Monhegan Island and a chance to tour Burnt Island Lighthouse and talk with the keeper. Mackerel fishing tours and sailing trips also promoted.
Pier 8
42 Commercial St.
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
(207) 633-2284 or
(800) 298-2284
info@balmydayscruises.com

 

My 300-page book (with over 360 images), Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses, along with plenty of coastal attractions and tours near each beacon, and contact info to plan your special vacation.

Look inside!

book northern New England lighthouses and local coastal attractions

 

 

 


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