Prospect Harbor Lighthouse
Prospect Harbor, Maine
Built in 1850
Location:
East side of Prospect Harbor entrance off Route 195. Access to the lighthouse or the grounds are strictly NOT allowed anymore for security.
Latitude: 44° 24' 12" N
Longitude: 68° 00' 48" W
Historic Stories:
Prospect Harbor has been a busy fishing harbor since the mid-1800's.
| Prospect Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1850 of granite, then deactivated between 1859 through 1870 when harbor use decreased. |
1850 Construction |
It was reactivated in 1870 with increased use of the harbor, and then rebuilt in 1891 of wood, to guide increased traffic of coasting schooners and fisherman.
Even today the lighthouse guides lobster and sardine fisherman to and from their homes.
The lighthouse was automated in 1934 but Keeper John Workman was allowed to stay at the station until 1953.
Today, as the lighthouse and grounds belong to the U.S. Navy, the keeper’s house is available for overnight stays for active and retired military families. The lighthouse and grounds are off limits to tourists for security reasons.
The American Lighthouse Foundation helped to save the historic beacon from imminent collapse in 2004 when critical restoration was applied to the lantern and gallery.
Hauntings at the Lighthouse
Those that have stayed at the keeper’s quarters have mentioned some paranormal activity occurring quite frequently. It seems that a small statue of a sea captain, located out of reach on a high ledge at the top of the stairs is consistently being moved facing the stairs one time, then the occupants will notice the statue would be moved to face the sea another time. Some guests have claimed to have seen a ghost like figure at night.
Note: For more details about the Northern Acadia Park area, and about various strange incidents at the lighthouse, select the link above "Haunting at Prospect Harbor" Blog, to be directed to my Lighthouse Stories section.
Places to Visit:
Head over Route 186 towards Winter Harbor and enjoy the views of Schoodic Peninsula, Schoodic Head, and Schoodic Point. Enter at the Acadia National Park entrance and head toward Schoodic Point along the western side of the Schoodic Peninsula.
| Here as you continue south on the park’s one-way loop road towards Schoodic Point, you’ll find an incredible display of ocean surf smashing against a 400-foot headland of rocks. |  |
There are also places along this road heading back if you look carefully where you can take trails to hike along the shore. Look for a Blueberry Hill sign along the way. You’ll find an intersection where you can pull over when the road rises and find this trail. When you reach the top of the hill you’ll find another awe-inspiring view of the bay, its islands, and a distant view of Petit Manan Lighthouse; bring your binoculars.
You can take the Island Explorer bus free from the ferry pier to Schoodic Point, Winter Harbor, Birch Harbor, and Prospect Harbor.
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Although it is an active military base and is not open to the public, you can photograph it from Prospect Harbor, or just outside the gate. |
The keeper's house is now used as a guesthouse for the base for special military personnel.
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The town of Prospect Harbor is a quaint fishing village where you can enjoy some nice walks. |
You can relax and picnic and view the lighthouse from across this small harbor. Purple lupine flowers are quite abundant in this area in the summer months to enjoy.
Directions:
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You cannot go onto the lighthouse grounds because of security reasons, as it is part of a military installation.
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To get to the lighthouse, from US Route 1 take 186 to Prospect Harbor.
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Turn right on 195 then bear right at the fork onto Lighthouse Point Rd. You can view the light off from the shoreline outside of the gates.
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Another view is from Winter Harbor on Route 186, enter Prospect Harbor and look for Stinson Canning Company. You can get a view just off the grounds; feel free to visit the company for some canned fish products.
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Another view is from Lighthouse Point Road leading to the restricted Navy station. Drive past a sign the reads “Detachment Alpha” to where Route 195 bears a left towards Corea.
Contact Info:
American Lighthouse Foundation
P.O. Box 565
Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: (207) 594-4174
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: This book 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 trips. There is also a haunted lighthouses section that includes Prospect Harbor lighthouse. Look inside! |
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This book is available in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
Enjoy a 10% discount on the hardcover version. Printed and distributed globally by IngramSpark. |
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 built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies and measured longer than a football field! These true stories include competitions, accidents, battling destructive storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages. |
