Cuckolds Lighthouse
Newagen, Maine
Built in 1892
Location:
About a mile off the tip of Southport Island marking the entrance to Boothbay Harbor. Can be seen at a distance off Route 238 at the end of Landing Road from Newagen boat dock. Best viewed by boat.
Latitude: 43° 46' 8" N
Longitude: 69° 39' 00" W
Historic Stories:
Boothbay Harbor had very heavy traffic entering and exiting its waters, and the rock island the lighthouse presently sits on was quite a serious threat to mariners. Originally established and constructed as a steam driven fog signal house in 1892, shipwrecks continued to occur in the area and mariners petitioned the government to install a lighthouse.
On a bitterly cold night In January 1896, Cuckolds fog signal keepers Edward H. Pierce and Clarence Marr rescued six crewmen from the Canadian schooner Aurora with the help of two lobstermen from Cape Newagen. The rescuers were awarded silver watches by the Canadian government for their heroism. The awards however, took over four years to be accepted by Washington before they could be presented to the keepers.
In 1907 a light tower was added on top of the house, creating its very unique shape observed for nearly 100 years. |
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It was one of the last lighthouses to be built along the Maine coast.
In September of 1925, Keeper Fred Robinson saved several persons from a motorboat, which had broken down and was drifting rapidly out to sea.
On the 27th and 28th of January, in 1933, a mighty nor’easter, named afterwards as the “Great Gale” swept over the lighthouse station and island, destroying the radio which cut all communications with the mainland. The storm lasted over two days washing away the back porch, breaking most of the windows, smashing through the wall to the dining room, and flooding the rooms all day with seawater. Most of keeper Harold Seavey’s belongings were destroyed. Luckily he was reimbursed fully by the Department of Commerce.
In April of 2006, the organization, Cuckolds Island Fog Signal and Light Station, was awarded the deed to the lighthouse under the provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
To help with maintenance costs, the lighthouse has been rebuilt and the keeper’s quarters remodeled to accommodate overnight guests.
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The renovated keeper’s dwelling is now called the Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse. |
The lighthouse itself was also remodeled, but on July 2019, the Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse was closed (hopefully only temporarilly) to guests as more funds and training are needed.
Places to Visit Nearby:
For those who enjoy hiking, there are 20 wildlife preserves all around the Boothbay region peninsula. These encompass more than 30 miles of trails that include woodlands, wetlands, salt marshes, islands, feeding areas for migratory birds and butterflies, and historical and archaeological sites.
Driving along Route 27 or Route 96 over the island around Southport, you’ll find one of only two of Maine’s swinging truss bridges.
| This unique bridge swings open sideways for boat crossings. |  |
The Hendricks Hill Museum features an 1810 house with eight rooms of antique furniture. At the Southport Fire Station, you’ll find a replica of a small lighthouse tower on top.
Tours out of Boothbay Harbor pass by the lighthouse for closer views.
At the town landing dock at Newagen, you can kayak around the area.
Driving Directions for a Distant View
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Although the Cuckolds lighthouse is best viewed by boat, you can get a distant view from Cape Newagan on Southport Island, south of Boothbay Harbor.
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From US Route 1, after crossing the bridge at Wiscasset, follow Route 27 South into Boothbay Harbor.
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From Boothbay, continue on Route 27 south.
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Follow Route 27 over the drawbridge and onto Southport Island.
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Once on Southport, take a left onto Route 238.
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Take Route 238 for about 4 miles then turn left onto Landing Rd to the end at the village of Newagen.
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You'll see a sign for the town landing on the right, which will take you to the pier to view the lighthouse.
Contact Info: The Inn is Temporarilly Closed
Boothbay Harbor’s Offshore Inn &
Historic Light Station
Cuckolds Light Station, PO Box 117, Southport, ME. 04576
Local Boat Tours
Boat cruises mentioned below may offer many types of cruises. While some may offer specific lighthouse cruises, some may pass by Cuckolds Lighthouse as part of charters, narrated wildlife and historic tours, fishing tours and other types of excursions.
Maine Maritime Museum
Frequent lighthouse tours along the Kennebec River and Boothbay Harbor. They pass by Cuckolds Light as part of their 4-hour Lighthouse Lovers Cruise.
243 Washington Street
Bath, ME 04530
Phone: (207) 443-1316
Fax: (207) 443-1665
Cap'n Fish's Whale Watch and Scenic Nature Cruises
Includes lighthouses along the Kennebec River and Boothbay Harbor.
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
(207)-633-3244
(207)-633-2626
Or toll free 1-800-636-3244
River Run Tours
Chartered pontoon boat for lighthouse excursions with a few passenger in a relaxed atmosphere.
River Run Tours, Inc.
28 Walnut Point
Woolwich, Maine 04578
(207) 504-BOAT(2628)
Maine Experience Guide Service
For those who prefer private chartered tours for a small groups or family, join Captain Jay Farris and his crew as they provide personal lighthouse tours to nine lighthouses in the Boothbay and Kennebec River regions, with an extended tour of 11 lighthouses, including the Cuckolds Lighthouse. You can view these beacons by boat, or hike to some, and you may be able to view seals, porpoises, occasional whales, many marine birds, bald eagles, working lobstermen, post card fishing villages, and an old War of 1812 fort.
Captain Jay Farris
23 Commercial St.
Bath ME 04530
Phone: (207) 215-3828
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Coal Schooners of New England
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In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants of sail were the ten original six-masted coal schooners and one colossal seven-masted vessel, built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies, and measured longer than a football field! This book, balanced with plenty of color and vintage images, showcases the historical accounts that followed these mighty ships. These true stories include competitions, accidents, battling destructive storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages. |
My 300-page book (with over 360 images), Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, published by Schiffer Publishing, provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses, along with plenty of coastal attractions and tours near each beacon, and contact info to plan your special trips. Look inside! |
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