Cape Elizabeth Light, often referred to as “Two Lights,” is a prominent lighthouse located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, marking the southwestern entrance to Casco Bay. Established in 1828 as twin rubble stone towers, the station became one of America’s most culturally significant lighthouses, immortalized in Edward Hopper’s 1929 painting The Lighthouse at Two Lights and featured on the 1970 U.S. postage stamp commemorating Maine’s sesquicentennial. Cape Elizabeth Light is often confused with Portland Head Light, located 5 miles north.
History of Cape Elizabeth Light
The name “Cape Elizabeth” dates to 1614, when English explorer Captain John Smith named the cape in honor of Princess Elizabeth, sister of King Charles I. As Portland Harbor grew into one of the most important seaports in post-Revolutionary Maine, the treacherous southern approach demanded a distinctive aid to navigation. On March 2, 1827, Congress appropriated $3,000 (later supplemented by an additional $4,500) for two lighthouses at Cape Elizabeth, designed to be distinguishable from the existing lights at Wood Island and Portland Head.
In May 1828, contractor Jeremiah Berry built two octagonal rubble stone towers, each 65 feet tall and topped with octagonal wrought-iron lanterns. The east tower contained 15 lamps with 16-inch reflectors showing a fixed white light, while the west tower (built 895 feet due west) housed 14 revolving lamps producing a flash. Both lights were operational by the end of October 1828. President John Quincy Adams appointed Elisha Jordan as the first keeper at $450 per year. The station’s twin-light configuration earned it the lasting nickname “Two Lights.” Fresnel lenses were installed for the first time in 1855, and in 1869, a steam-driven fog whistle was added at Cape Elizabeth, the first such device used in North America.
By 1872, the original rubble stone towers had deteriorated so badly that the Lighthouse Board declared they required complete reconstruction. Following a $30,000 Congressional appropriation, the U.S. Lighthouse Service replaced both towers in 1874 with identical 67-foot conical cast-iron structures, manufactured at the Portland Machine Works and given delicate Italianate architectural detailing. Each new tower was outfitted with a second-order Fresnel lens. A new wood-frame Gothic Revival keeper’s dwelling was built near the east tower in 1878.
On January 28, 1885, Keeper Marcus A. Hanna performed one of the most extraordinary rescues in American lighthouse history. During a violent blizzard with -10°F wind chill, the schooner Australia from Boothbay ran aground on Dyer’s Ledge near the fog signal building. The captain was swept away by waves; only two crewmen, Irving Pierce and William Kellar, survived, lashed to the rigging and frozen nearly stiff. Despite battling the flu, Hanna braved the storm to throw a line and singlehandedly drag both men to safety in the fog signal house. He received the Gold Lifesaving Medal on April 25, 1885, and a decade later was awarded the Medal of Honor for Civil War heroism at Port Hudson, Louisiana, in 1863, making him the only person in U.S. history to receive both awards. The Coast Guard honored him in 1997 by naming the 175-foot buoy tender USCGC Marcus Hanna in his memory.
The west tower was permanently decommissioned on June 14, 1924, when the federal government mandated that all twin-light stations be reduced to single beacons. The east tower was electrified on December 20, 1925, with 500,000 candlepower, making it the second most powerful lighthouse in New England at the time. During World War II, the lantern was removed from the west tower, which was converted into a coastal artillery fire control tower for the Harbor Defenses of Portland. After the war, the west tower and 10.5 acres were sold at auction in 1959 to actor Gary Merrill and his then-wife Bette Davis for $28,000; the property remains privately owned today. The east tower was automated in 1963, and its original 1874 second-order Fresnel lens was removed in 1994. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places as “Two Lights” on December 27, 1974.
Cape Elizabeth Light Architecture and Design
The active eastern tower is a conical cast-iron structure standing 67 feet tall, painted white with black trim and accented with delicate Italianate detailing. Its light is positioned 129 feet above sea level on a granite cliff, providing a charted range of 15 nautical miles. The interior features a circular cast-iron staircase rising to the lantern room, which is encircled by an ornate cast-iron gallery and railing. The 1878 Gothic Revival keeper’s house, with its L-shaped frame construction, cross-gable roof, and decorative bargeboards, remains an integral part of the historic setting.
Originally equipped with a second-order Fresnel lens manufactured in France, the lighthouse now operates a VRB-25 optic that produces a group of four white flashes every 15 seconds. The west tower, though deactivated, still stands roughly 300 yards (about 895 feet) from the east tower as a private residence and remains a defining feature of the historic Two Lights ensemble.
Location and Surroundings
Cape Elizabeth Light is situated in the town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The area is characterized by rugged coastal scenery, with rocky shorelines and panoramic ocean views.
The 41-acre Two Lights State Park, located nearby, offers picnic areas, walking trails, and dramatic Atlantic vistas, but no longer provides a view of the lighthouses themselves. The best public vantage points are at the end of Two Lights Road, near the historic fog signal building, and from The Lobster Shack restaurant adjacent to it. Visitors exploring Maine’s southern coast often pair Cape Elizabeth with nearby Spring Point Ledge Light in South Portland and Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth’s neighboring town.
Famous Tales and Recognition
Few lighthouses in America have left as deep a cultural footprint as Cape Elizabeth Light:
- Edward Hopper’s 1929 Painting: American realist painter Edward Hopper produced several views of the station in the late 1920s, including Lighthouse Hill (1927) and The Lighthouse at Two Lights (1929). The 1929 oil painting is considered one of Hopper’s most iconic American landscapes.
- First Lighthouse on a U.S. Postage Stamp (1970): Hopper’s 1929 painting was reproduced on a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1970 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Maine statehood, the first lighthouse ever depicted on a U.S. stamp.
- Marcus Hanna’s Heroic Rescue (1885): Keeper Marcus A. Hanna — who had previously served as the 9th keeper at Pemaquid Point Light from 1869 to 1873 — led a rescue of the schooner Australia’s crew during a January 1885 blizzard. The feat remains one of the most celebrated lifesaving acts in American maritime history. He is the only person to receive both the Gold Lifesaving Medal and the Medal of Honor.
- First Steam Fog Whistle in North America (1869): The steam-driven fog warning whistle installed at Cape Elizabeth in 1869 was the first such device used anywhere in North America.
- Hollywood Connection: In 1959, the decommissioned west tower and surrounding property were purchased at auction by actor Gary Merrill and his then-wife, screen legend Bette Davis, for $28,000.
- National Register of Historic Places (1974): Listed as “Two Lights” on December 27, 1974 (NRHP reference #74000167), recognized for its Gothic Revival keeper’s house and Italianate cast-iron towers.
- USCGC Marcus Hanna (1997): A 175-foot Coast Guard buoy tender homeported in South Portland, Maine, was named in 1997 in honor of Keeper Hanna’s legacy.
Visiting Cape Elizabeth Light
While the lighthouse itself is not open to the public, visitors can still enjoy views of the structure and explore the surrounding area.
Getting There
To view Cape Elizabeth Light, drive past the entrance to Two Lights State Park and continue to the end of Two Lights Road, where a turnaround offers distant views of the lighthouse. Many visitors find the best public vantage point is from The Lobster Shack restaurant, located at the end of Two Lights Road adjacent to the historic fog signal building. Please note that the lighthouse grounds are privately owned and not accessible to the public.
Visiting Hours
The lighthouse is visible year-round from public vantage points, with daylight hours offering the best views.
Admission
There is no fee to view the lighthouse from public areas.
Guided Tours
Guided tours of the lighthouse are not available.
Visitor Guidelines
- Respect all signage and barriers to protect the lighthouse and its surroundings.
- Stay on designated paths to prevent dune erosion.
- Be mindful of changing tides and coastal conditions when visiting the nearby beach.
- Follow local regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Plan Your Visit
A trip to Cape Elizabeth Light offers a glimpse into Maine’s rich maritime history amidst stunning coastal landscapes. While direct access to the lighthouse is restricted, the surrounding area provides ample opportunities for sightseeing, photography, and reflection on the deep cultural legacy of one of America’s most-painted lighthouses.