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| At the breakwaters end - click to enlarge |
Rockland, formerly known as Thomaston, was a shipping port for cement back in the mid 1800's, there were about eighty producers of the ground and baked limestone lining the shore of the town. A lot of lumber also left the port.
There was, or is, a ledge running out to sea from the northern shore of the town, and storms frequently semi-flooding the lime kilns; a small temporary light was installed and finally Congress acted and approved the building of the breakwater and eventually the light.
It took 700,000 tons of granite blocks to construct the breakwater, it stretches 4300 feet out into the bay, the brick light was built at the end. During construction the "temporary" light was moved along the end.
In 1965 after the light was automated with an optic lens, it still produces a white flash every four seconds, the Coast Guard wanted to demolish the buildings. Public outcry convinced the Coast Guard to sell the properties. The Samoset Resort kept up the buildings for a few years while an organization was established to care for the properties. The buildings have been rehabilitated and a float and boat pier established at the end of the breakwater.
Many people walk the breakwaters 4300 foot length, my lovely wife among them, I have been part way out on a bad day.
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| The "temporary" beacon. |
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| In 2011 Schooners in a race passed the Light. |
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| An aerial look at the Light and breakwater. |
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| People walking out, December 2011, a dangerous act (my opinion). |
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