Portland Breakwater (Bug) Light
A 2,500-foot breakwater and lighthouse on the south side of the entrance to Portland Harbor were planned after a storm in November 1831 severely damaged the area. Although construction began in 1836, lack of funds caused a delay, but in 1855 a small octagonal wooden tower with a sixth-order Fresnel lens was in operation.
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
In the early 1870's the breakwater was extended approximately 200 feet and a new lighthouse built at the end. Known locally as "Bug Light", the new lighthouse included Greek architectural elements. The design of the cast iron tower is unique: petite, with Corinthian columns created to resemble a 4th century (B.C.) Greek monument.
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
A wooden keeper's house was built adjacent to the lighthouse in 1889. In 1934 the light was electrified, the keeper's house removed and the light tended by the keeper at Spring Point Ledge Light.
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
As shipyards expanded into the harbor to accommodate World War II shipbuilding, the breakwater progressively shortened until the lighthouse stood only 100 feet from shore, making it obsolete. The light was extinguished in 1942, and declared surplus property soon after, and sold to private ownership.
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
The property was later donated to the city of Portland. In 1989 after long standing unattended, repair and restoration were accomplished with money from federal, state and local organizations.
4x6 photo Add to Cart
5x7 photo Add to Cart
8x10 photo Add to Cart
11x14 photo Add to Cart
The above photo was taken from a Nikon Pronea S, scanned with a Nikon Ls-2000 scanner then adjusted in PhotoShop 5.5
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.