Vintage Portland Head Light

Posted byLinda Osborne CynowaPosted inUnited States Atlantic Coast Lighthouse, United States Lighthouses, Village of RomeoTags:, , , ,

Linda’s Monthly Monday Morning Moaning’s for October 3, 2022

Portland Head Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth, Maine:

With the ratification of the United States Constitution in June 1788, the new federal government of the United States came into being. On August 7, 1789, (a lovely date in 1970 to be married, also) the First Congress of the United States passed its first Public Works Act when it federalized all lighthouses in the United States. Control was placed in the hands of Alexander Hamilton the first Secretary of the Treasury. Funds were arranged and construction at Portland Head was completed in 1791.

Postcard image courtesy of the author

Although Alexander Hamilton was in charge of the lighthouses it was the President of the United States who personally appointed the light keepers, usually as a reward for services performed. As it was Revolutionary War veteran Joseph Greenleaf was given the opportunity to be the first appointed lighthouse keeper. He was allowed to live at the light for free, and some time later they came up with $160.00 a year in salary for him.

Postcard image courtesy of the author

The original plans called for the tower to the Portland Head Light to be 58 feet tall, but this would be changed during construction to 72 feet. But in 1813 the tower was lower by 20 feet. In 1864 it was raised by 20 feet. In 1883 the tower was once again shortened by 20 feet and the less powerful fourth-order lens was used instead of the more powerful second-order lens. Soon complaints about the less powerful lens and shorter tower that in 1884 the tower was again raised by twenty feet and the second-order lens installed in the lantern room.

Postcard image courtesy of the author

Many light keepers tended this most photographed light and saved many lives by their hard work and helped maritime navigation around the rocky shores of this northern Atlantic light. There are many great books about this light, one of them being “Portland Head Light, A Pictorial Journey Through Time” by Timothy E Harrison.

Postcard image courtesy of the author

On that ‘wee note’ till next month Monday, November 7, 2022.

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Published by Linda Osborne Cynowa

Linda Osborne Cynowa has lived in the Washington Township community since 2007. She moved to this area because of its beautiful hills, stunning scenery, and fruit orchards. Linda’s background is in photography, genealogy, and with a lifelong love of history, found herself working in a voluntary capacity with the Romeo Community Archives at the Romeo Kezar Library. She researched the many historic homes and families in the Romeo and Washington area, which led to a keen interest and knowledge of the area’s history. With a love of the Arcadia Publishing ‘Images of America’ books, she was always bothered that Washington Township wasn’t represented. When inquiring about this, she was told, “You haven’t written it yet”! With the encouragement of the Archivists at the Community Archives, a proposal was submitted for consideration. In September of 2019, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP became part of the ‘Images of America’ series.

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