Spring Point Ledge Light is a distinctive caisson-style “sparkplug” lighthouse located in South Portland, Maine, marking a hazardous ledge that extends into the main shipping channel of Portland Harbor. First lit on May 24, 1897, it is one of only three remaining sparkplug-style lighthouses in Maine and the only caisson-style lighthouse in the United States accessible on foot, thanks to a 900-foot granite breakwater built in 1951. Unlike most sparkplug lighthouses, which are constructed entirely of cast iron, Spring Point Ledge features a brick superstructure mounted on a cast-iron caisson foundation.
History of Spring Point Ledge Light
Throughout the 19th century, Spring Point Ledge was a notorious hazard for vessels navigating Portland Harbor. The ledge extended from the shoreline at Fort Preble into the main shipping channel, claiming numerous vessels, including the lime coaster Nancy in 1832, which caught fire and burned to the waterline. By the late 1880s, seven steamship companies were carrying more than 500,000 passengers annually past the ledge. Their advocacy convinced the U.S. Lighthouse Board to authorize a fifth-order light at the site in April 1891.
Congressional appropriations followed slowly: $20,000 was approved on March 2, 1895, and a second installment of $25,000 came on June 11, 1896, bringing the total to $45,000. The Lighthouse Board contracted with Thomas Dwyer, a New York builder also responsible for a wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and several buildings at City College of New York. Construction began in August 1896 with divers assembling the cast-iron caisson plates underwater. A storm on September 6, 1896 damaged many of the iron plates already placed, causing $5,000 in damage and prompting weeks of delays. Dwyer further drew the Lighthouse Board’s ire by filling the caisson with cement that hadn’t been pre-tested per spec, earning a $300 fine.
On May 24, 1897, first keeper William A. Lane and 1st Assistant Keeper Harry Phillips lit the lamp for the first time. The original beacon was a fifth-order Fresnel lens flashing red every five seconds, with a white sector marking the safe channel into Portland Harbor. A fog bell hung outside the watch room, sounding twice every twelve seconds via an 800-pound weight-driven striker. The 25-foot-diameter cast-iron caisson stood 40 feet tall, with the brick superstructure rising above it to house, in ascending order, a cellar for storage, a kitchen, head keeper’s quarters, assistant keeper’s quarters, watch room, and lantern. Spring Point Ledge is one of the few Maine lighthouses where keepers actually lived inside the tower itself.
The lighthouse was originally painted with red lead and “prince metallic brown” coats with a black lantern. By October 1897, the Corps of Engineers determined the colors made the tower hard to distinguish from the shoreline and ordered a black-and-white repaint. While the District Engineer was hiring a contractor, the keepers simply painted the tower themselves. In May 1898, at the outset of the Spanish-American War, Spring Point Ledge along with Portland Head and Portland Breakwater were temporarily darkened due to harbor mining. The lights resumed operation on July 26, 1898. On August 20, 1908, the schooner Electric Flash ran into the lighthouse in broad daylight, destroying one of the station’s lifeboats. From 1917 to 1934, assistant keeper Augustus Aaron “Gus” Wilson became one of New England’s most celebrated wooden bird carvers, producing an estimated 5,000 decoys during his career; one of his decoys later sold for $195,500 at auction in 2005.
On May 1, 1934, an underwater electrical cable from Fort Preble brought electricity to the lighthouse, and a second submarine cable allowed Spring Point keepers to remotely monitor and operate the nearby Portland Breakwater Light (Bug Light). Continuing ice damage to the caisson prompted granite-block protection in the 1930s, and from June 6, 1950 through June 1951, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a 900-foot granite breakwater using 50,000 tons of stone, finally connecting the lighthouse to shore. The Coast Guard automated the light in May 1960 and removed the original Fresnel lens. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 21, 1988 (NRHP reference #87002279). On April 28, 1998, the Maine Lights Selection Committee approved the transfer of the lighthouse to the Spring Point Ledge Light Trust, formed by the Portland Harbor Museum earlier that year. The transfer ceremony took place on June 20, 1998, in Rockland, Maine. The Trust continues to oversee the lighthouse’s preservation while the Coast Guard operates the light as an active aid to navigation.
Spring Point Ledge Light Architecture and Design
The lighthouse features a cylindrical brick tower mounted on a 25-foot-diameter, 40-foot-tall cast-iron caisson filled with concrete. This brick-on-caisson design distinguishes Spring Point Ledge from most American sparkplug lighthouses, which are constructed entirely of cast iron. The brick superstructure has four interior levels, including a cellar (originally for coal and equipment storage with two cisterns and a 239-gallon kerosene tank), kitchen, head keeper’s quarters, and assistant keeper’s quarters, topped by a watch room and lantern room.
The tower stands with a focal plane 54 feet above sea level, painted white with a black lantern, and ringed by three iron galleries. Originally equipped with a fifth-order Fresnel lens manufactured in France, the lighthouse now operates a 300mm optic with a 36-watt incandescent lamp, producing a white flash every six seconds with two red sectors marking dangerous waters and a white sector marking the safe approach to Portland Harbor. The light is visible up to 14 nautical miles, accompanied by an automated foghorn sounding every ten seconds. The Spring Point Ledge Light Trust maintains the structure, while the U.S. Coast Guard maintains the light and fog signal.
Location and Surroundings
Situated at the end of a 900-foot granite breakwater, Spring Point Ledge Light is adjacent to the campus of Southern Maine Community College and the historic Fort Preble. The area offers picturesque views of Portland Harbor and easy access to nearby attractions, including the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse (also known as Bug Light) and the vibrant city of Portland, known for its rich maritime heritage, diverse dining options, and cultural venues. Visitors often pair Spring Point Ledge with a stop at Cape Elizabeth Light (Two Lights), a 10-minute drive south.
Famous Tales and Recognition
Spring Point Ledge has accumulated a uniquely rich body of history for a lighthouse of its size:
- Only Walkable Sparkplug Lighthouse in the U.S.: The 1951 granite breakwater makes Spring Point Ledge the only caisson-style lighthouse in the United States visitors can reach on foot, and one of only three remaining sparkplug lighthouses in Maine (alongside Goose Rocks Light and Lubec Channel Light).
- Builder Thomas Dwyer’s NYC Connections: Contractor Thomas Dwyer, who built the lighthouse, was also responsible for a wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and several buildings at City College of New York.
- Gus Wilson, Master Wood Carver: Assistant keeper Augustus Aaron “Gus” Wilson (1917–1934) became one of New England’s most celebrated wooden duck and bird carvers, producing an estimated 5,000 decoys during his lifetime. His work has been displayed at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Shelburne Museum in Vermont, and one of his decoys sold for $195,500 at auction in 2005.
- The Electric Flash Collision (1908): On August 20, 1908, the schooner Electric Flash ran into the lighthouse in broad daylight, destroying one of the station’s lifeboats but causing no casualties.
- Spanish-American War Darkening (1898): In May 1898, Spring Point Ledge along with Portland Head and Portland Breakwater Light were temporarily extinguished due to harbor mining, resuming operation on July 26, 1898.
- Remote Operation of Bug Light: After 1934 electrification, a submarine cable allowed Spring Point keepers to remotely monitor and operate the nearby Portland Breakwater Light, an early example of remote-controlled lighthouse operation.
- National Register of Historic Places (1988): Listed as “Spring Point Ledge Light Station” on January 21, 1988 (NRHP reference #87002279), as part of the Light Stations of Maine Multiple Property Submission.
Visiting Spring Point Ledge Light
The lighthouse and its surroundings provide a unique experience for visitors interested in maritime history, coastal scenery, and recreational activities.
Getting There
From I-95, take exit 45 to merge onto Maine Turnpike Approach Road toward I-295/US-1/Portland. Continue on I-295 N to exit 6A (Forest Avenue). Follow signs to US-1 South, then turn left onto Broadway. Continue on Broadway to Pickett Street, turn right, then left onto Fort Road, which leads through the Southern Maine Community College campus to the lighthouse.
By Water
Many visitors enjoy seeing Spring Point Ledge from the water alongside Portland’s other harbor lighthouses. The Best of Maine Lighthouse Scenic Cruise from Portland passes Spring Point Ledge, Portland Head Light, Portland Breakwater (Bug Light), and Ram Island Ledge Light over a single 105-minute narrated tour, offering a perspective on the harbor that’s impossible to get from shore.
Visiting Hours
The grounds surrounding the lighthouse are open year-round. Interior tours are typically available from late May through early September, weather permitting. It’s advisable to check the Spring Point Ledge Light Trust’s official website or contact them directly for the most current tour schedules. A visitor center and gift shop, built by SMCC students in 2017, sits at the foot of the breakwater and serves as the ticket booth during the summer season.
Admission
A nominal fee is charged for interior tours, which supports ongoing preservation efforts. Children must meet a minimum height requirement (typically 51 inches) for safety reasons.
Guided Tours
Guided tours offer insights into the lighthouse’s history, architecture, and the daily life of its keepers. Visitors can explore the various levels of the tower, including the watch room and lantern room, providing a comprehensive understanding of its operation.
Visitor Guidelines
- Respect all signage and barriers to protect the lighthouse and its surroundings.
- Stay on designated paths to prevent damage to the breakwater and surrounding habitats.
- Be mindful of changing tides and coastal conditions when visiting the breakwater.
- Follow local regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Plan Your Visit
A trip to Spring Point Ledge Light offers a blend of historical intrigue and scenic beauty. Visitors can enjoy walking the breakwater, exploring nearby Fort Preble, and taking in panoramic views of Casco Bay. The proximity to Portland provides additional opportunities for dining, shopping, and cultural experiences, making it a worthwhile destination for both locals and tourists.