Doubling Point Range Lights
(Kennebec River Range Lights)
Arrowsic, Maine
Built in 1898
Location:
Northeast end of Arrowsic Island, on the Kennebec River. Private residence. Best to view from one of the boat tours out of Boothbay Harbor.
Latitude: 43° 52' 58" N
Longitude: 69° 48' 25" W
Historic Stories:
The Kennebec River Range Lights, or Doubling Point Range Lights as they are referred to, were established on Arrowsic island to mark an extreme double turn in the channel at what is known as Fiddler Reach.
| It is the only pair of active range lights in Maine with two towers with identical lights. |  |
A ship's captain would know that when the two light towers are aligned they are in the middle of the channel to make sure they were still on course.
On December 28, 1928 Keeper Captain Harry L. Nye made a rare rescue of four young men caught on a large ice floe that had broken away and was carrying them down the swift current of the Kennebec River out to sea. He made it out in time to reach them and bring them to safety.
In 1938, Lucy Mae Woodward, the young daughter of Keeper William H. Woodward, fell in the river near the keeper’s house and drowned despite frantic attempts to revive her by the local police and neighbors. Many believed that she might have suffered a slight heart attack that caused her to fall.
Doubling Point |
In 1990, the range lights became one of the last light stations in the United States to be automated. |
They are still used as navigational aids at a private residence, which also tenders Doubling Point Light and Squirrel Point Light.
Places to Visit Nearby:
Historic Bath provides lots of specialty shops and galleries for visitors to explore.
| Visit the Maine Maritime Museum to explore and take in one their many types of lighthouse cruises and nature excursions. |  |
After crossing the huge Kennebec River Bridge in Bath, travel down 127 and you’ll find Doubling Point Road. Ask permission to explore the Doubling Point Lighthouse, and the Doubling Point Range Lights across the street.
Doubling Point |
The caretakers of the Doubling Point lights live on the side of the range lights. There are nice views of the front range light overlooking the river. |
The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum is an operating, two-foot gauge steam railroad.
Driving Directions
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Be wary this is a private residence, better views may be obtained from one of the many tours offered in the area.
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From US Route 1 after you pass through Bath, cross over the bridge that goes over the Kennebec River
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Take Route 127 South for nearly 2 miles till you come to a dirt road on the right with the sign that reads "Doubling Point Rd."
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Proceed down the dirt road and take a left at the mailboxes (you're still on Doubling Point Rd)
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Then bear left at the fork to reach Doubling Point Range Lights; if you bear right at the fork you will come upon the Doubling Point lighthouse.
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Both of these lights are in a residential area and the people who live at these places will probably allow you to take photographs. Ask permission if you can.
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The people who live at this residence maintain both properties and Squirrel Point Light.
Local Boat Tours
Boat cruises mentioned below offer many types of cruises. During specific lighthouse cruises, they may pass by Kennebec River (Doubling Point Range) Lights. They may also pass the lighthouse as part of charters, narrated wildlife and historic tours, whale watching, fishing tours and other types of excursions.
Maine Maritime Museum
Various lighthouse, nature, and Bath shipyard tours along the Kennebec River. Check out their lighthouse lantern tower room to see exactly what a lighthouse keeper would view.
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
You can charter this pontoon boat for lighthouse, fishing, and wildlife excursions.
River Run Tours, Inc.
28 Walnut Point
Woolwich, Maine 04578
(207) 504-BOAT(2628)
My 300-page book (with over 360 images), Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, published by Schiffer Publishing, provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses, along with plenty of coastal attractions and tours near each beacon. Look inside! |
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