Egg Rock Lighthouse, Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor, Maine
Egg Rock is a tiny island in the middle of Frenchman Bay, just off Bar Harbor, named for the large number of seabird's nests and eggs found there. In 1875 a 12 foot square building with a tower in the center lighthouse with a fifth order Fresnel lens and fog signal were all built due to heavy seasonal ferry traffic. Over the years heavy storms damaged the lighthouse, keeper's house and everything else on the island. A 1899 a second story with all it's dormers had to be added to the building to provide adequate winter heating for the keepers and their families. In 1901 the lens was upgraded to a fourth order Fresnel, that exhibited a white flash every 5 seconds. Finally in 1976 the lighthouse was automated and a powerful modern aero-beacon optic installed, which was powered by an underwater cable from nearby Mount Desert Island. In 1999 the power was supplied from solar panels and the underwater cable discarded. In 2009 federal grant money combined with private businesses and resident donations allowed for a complete repair.
The lighthouse is one of the most viewed in Maine, and remains an active aid to navigation.
Photo taken in the early morning from a charter boat.
Egg Rock Lighthouse, Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor, Maine
Egg Rock is a tiny island in the middle of Frenchman Bay, just off Bar Harbor, named for the large number of seabird's nests and eggs found there. In 1875 a 12 foot square building with a tower in the center lighthouse with a fifth order Fresnel lens and fog signal were all built due to heavy seasonal ferry traffic. Over the years heavy storms damaged the lighthouse, keeper's house and everything else on the island. A 1899 a second story with all it's dormers had to be added to the building to provide adequate winter heating for the keepers and their families. In 1901 the lens was upgraded to a fourth order Fresnel, that exhibited a white flash every 5 seconds. Finally in 1976 the lighthouse was automated and a powerful modern aero-beacon optic installed, which was powered by an underwater cable from nearby Mount Desert Island. In 1999 the power was supplied from solar panels and the underwater cable discarded. In 2009 federal grant money combined with private businesses and resident donations allowed for a complete repair.
The lighthouse is one of the most viewed in Maine, and remains an active aid to navigation.
Photo taken in the early morning from a charter boat.