Owl's Head Lighthouse

One of the most photographed of Maine's lighthouses is the one that sits on a promontory of land overlooking the waters of Penobscot Bay, in Owl's Head Maine.

The Owl's Head Lighthouse, first lit in 1826, has been guiding vessels in an out of Rockland Harbor ever since.

Although the lighthouse and the keeper's house, which is occupied by a Coast Guard family, are not open to the public, the grounds of the Owl's Head State Park are, making this a great stopover on your Maine coastal vacation.

Owl's Head Light Facts

Sitting on a granite foundation, in its original location, the white brick tower of Owl's Head Lighthouse has a striking black lantern. With a tower height of 30 feet, this lighthouse certainly isn't the tallest along Maine's coast. However, its positioning atop a rocky cliff provides a 100 foot height of focal point.

Alongside the lighthouse, which was automated in 1989, are the one and a half story, cottage style, keepers quarters - built in 1854, a generator house, an 1895 oil storage building and a LONG stretch of wooden steps leading up to the tower.

What you won't see when you visit Owl's Head State Park, are the dismantled bell tower, built in 1906, nor the 1894 boathouse. Also removed is the covering that once protected the stairs leading up to the tower.

You may also be interested in:
Owl's Head Maine, Rockland Maine, or from Amazon, Maine Lighthouses Illustrated Map & Guide

Owl's Head Lighthouse Stories and Legends

As with all lighthouses, the Owl's Head Light has legends and tales that have been passed on from one generation to the next.

One of the most romantic and popular tales is that of the frozen lovers...

Legend has it that during a terrible winter storm in December of 1850 an engaged couple became stranded on their boat in Penobscot Bay. While embracing for warmth they froze into a block of ice.

The lighthouse keeper spotted and rescued them, bringing the couple onshore into his warm kitchen where they thawed and fully recovered. Yes, you guessed - they eventually married!

Another tale of the Owl's Head Light is that of the mail boat that was lost during a 1930's raging winter storm. As the legend goes...

The fog bell was rendered useless after being buried in snow. The lighthouse keeper hearing of the missing boat sent his dog out to bark in the direction of the icy waters. The mail boat heard the dog's call and was successfully guided to shore.

Bring your lunch, don't forget the camera, and create your own stories at the Owl's Head Lighthouse!