Top 10 Amazing Fun Facts About the Portland Head Lighthouse You Never Knew!

1. Size Matters

When the architects of Portland Head Light found themselves in a rather "towering debacle," they knew that size does indeed matter: To remedy their initial mistake, an additional 20 feet was added to the original 58-foot-tall lighthouse, proudly bringing the iconic structure to 80 feet above ground and 101 feet above water.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Instagram Bucket List

Ahoy there, selfie enthusiasts and ocean admirers: here's one for your Instagram bucket list! Maine's own Portland Head Light might just leave you saying "ah, ship – this view is un-BAY-lievable": doubling as a historical gem and a photographer's dream, this lighthouse from 1791 awaits in Cape Elizabeth's Fort Williams Park as America's most-photographed beacon, offering scenic strolls, island vistas, and all the seaside feels one could ask for!
Source => pressherald.com

Did you know a lighthouse's visibility range is determined by a unique mathematical formula? Discover how this helps ships spot them from a safe distance! 🧐💡

=> Fun Facts about Lighthouses

3. Washington's Lighthouse Keeper

If George Washington went out after dark, he'd likely stumble right into it: Portland Head Lighthouse was the first lighthouse completed by the United States government, with Captain Joseph Greenleaf appointed as its keeper by the president himself. Despite receiving only $160 per year and having to double as a fisherman and farmer, Greenleaf melted ice off the lantern glass in winter and served until his death in 1795, making it the most visited, painted, and photographed lighthouse in New England.
Source => lighthousefriends.com

4. Teacher's Pet Lighthouse

If lighthouses were given report cards, Portland Head Lighthouse would certainly be a teacher's pet with high attendance marks: This long-serving beacon has been dutifully shining its light for over 200 years, making it one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the United States!
Source => hwlongfellow.org

5. Shipwreck Savior

Thank heavens for shipwrecks and mason magic: Portland Head Lighthouse, the historic beacon of hope, sprang to life following a tragic shipwreck in 1787, with the expert craftsmanship of local masons Jonathan Bryant and John Nichols leading to its completion in 1791 as America's sixth busiest port and first lighthouse to be lit that year.
Source => newenglandlighthouses.net

6. Jefferson's Backup Plan

In a dramatic twist of lighthouse lore, the Portland Head Lighthouse was Thomas Jefferson's backup career if the presidency didn't work out: Commissioned by George Washington in 1787, this Maine lighthouse has been shining a light for mariners since 1791, making it one of the oldest in the state. Now a popular tourist destination, visitors flock to Fort Williams Park to take in spectacular ocean views and soak in the rich maritime history it embodies.
Source => wikiart.org

7. Missed the LED Party

Alas, the Portland Head Lighthouse failed to receive its invitation to the LED party, but fret not, dear travelers: it still dazzles as a beacon of history and charm amidst the now-IDA-Approved Dark Sky Friendly LED streetlights of the city.
Source => darksky.org

8. Iconic Tower of Light

From a president's pet project to a shining beacon of hope for sailors in the turbulent waters of Maine, the Portland Head Lighthouse is no ordinary tower of light: Commissioned by George Washington himself in 1791, this solitary, iconic lighthouse has, unlike its neighboring lighthouses, stood firm on the rocky shores of Portland for over two centuries, proudly guiding mariners through the area's main shipping channel.
Source => jeffnewcomerphotography.blogspot.com

9. George's Selfie Spot

If George Washington had Instagram, he'd definitely be posting selfies with his favorite lighthouse: The Portland Head Lighthouse is not only the oldest lighthouse in Maine, commissioned by the nation's first President himself in 1787, but it also boasts an impressive 80-foot tall structure perched on a scenic cliff. Serving as a beacon of guidance for mariners entering Portland Harbor since 1791, this automated and ever-vigilant lighthouse now falls under the watchful eye of the U.S. Coast Guard and opens its historic doors for tours and special events.
Source => pressherald.com

10. Reigning Lighthouse Champ

When the going gets tough, the tough get glowing: The Portland Head Light first shone bright on January 10, 1791, making it the reigning champ in Maine's lighthouse game, as the oldest one that's still in operation today.
Source => siouxcityjournal.com