Grindle Point Light
Islesboro is a 10 mile long narrow island in upper Penobscot Bay. The largest 19th century commercial shipping fleet in the bay was based at Islesboro. Located on the north side of the entrance to Gilkey Harbor, the original 28 foot tower was established in 1851 built on the three acres of land purchased from Francis Grindle who became the second keeper in April 1853.
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The tower was rebuilt in 1874 after succumbing to the elements, a 39 foot square brick tower attached by covered walkway to the 1-1/2 story keeper's house. Both structures still remain.
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A fifth-order Fresnel lens was installed; a boathouse was added in 1886 and an oil house in 1906. In 1934 Grindle Point Light was deactivated and replaced by a nearby skeleton light tower.
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The grounds and lighthouse became property of the town of Islesboro.
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Fifty there years later, Islesboro residents convinced the Coast Guard to recommission Grindle Point lighthouse in 1987; a solar powered optic was installed and the skeleton tower removed.
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The Islesboro Sailor's Memorial Museum is now located in the keeper's house and the 1881 fog bell on the south side of the light tower is on loan from the Shore Village Museum in Rockland Maine.
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Although distantly visible from the mainland, the ferry between Lincolnville and Islesboro docks next to the lighthouse; the three mile crossing takes 20 minutes each way.
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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 2000 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.