Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Baker Island Light

Through the trees, a National Park Service photo of Baker Island Light - click
  Baker Island is located on one of the five island that make up the Town of Cranberry Isles.  The Town is located just south of Mount Desert Island (where Acadia National Park is). 
  The light was funded in 1823 and construction began the following year, the builder ran out of money and Congress had to be petitioned for more funding, which was received the following year.
  The Light opened in 1825, the 26 foot tall tower was topped with an octagonal shaped iron lantern, the Light was lit with 10 whale oil lamps each had a 15 inch reflector, the keeper was busy refilling the lamps.  William Gilley and his wife Hannah were the first, they already lived on the Island with a number of cows, a yoke of oxen, 50 sheep and a flock of chickens - it seems there was plenty of work to do.
  The Light was dis-established in October 1955, and re-established in 1957 after local fishermen and sailors complained, and was made an automated light with an optic lens.  The building was bought by local people to keep the building intact.  The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company takes members of the public to tour the Island and the Light, see www.barharborwhales.com for info.
A photo from the early 1900's
One of the Island's beaches. www.lighthouse.cc

No comments:

Post a Comment