Curtis Island Light
In the early 1600s Captain John Smith arrived in Camden Harbor. With him on the voyage was a black cook who allowed that is he could have any place in the world, the small island would be the place.
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
Captain Smith then awarded the cook ownership, whereupon the island became "Negro Island". More then 200 years later, the first brick lighthouse on the five-acre island at the entrance to Camden Harbor was built in 1835 by order of President Andrew Jackson.
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
Making the south side of the harbor entrance, the initial tower was replaced with the present 25 foot brick tower in 1896. The keeper's house had been rebuilt in 1889 and the boathouse added. A fourth-order Fresnel lens also was installed.
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
The island's name was changed in 1934 to Curtis Island in memory of Cyrus H.K. Curtis, publisher of the Saturday Evening Post and long time summer resident and benefactor of Camden. In 1972 the light was automated and the Fresnel lens removed; the town of Camden acquired the property surrounding the lighthouse the following year.
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
Although there are several locations along the shore offering distant views of the light, it can be best seen and photographed by boat or air. Any of the sight-seeing or windjammer cruises departing from Camden Harbor public landing will pass immediately in front of the lighthouse and afford excellent views.
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
All text copyright ã 1999 by Courtney Thompson/CatNap Publications. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted, in any form without prior written permission from the publisher.
All images copyright ã 2001 by Richard Asarisi/Photoworkings.com. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted, in any form without prior written permission from the publisher.