Lubec Channel Light
{{Short description|Lighthouse in Maine, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| image_name = Lubec Channel Lighthouse Maine.JPG
| location = Lubec, Maine
| coordinates = {{coord|44|50|31.387|N|66|58|35.822|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| yearbuilt = 1890
| automated = 1968
| shape = Conical Tower
| marking = White tower on black pier
| focalheight = {{convert|53|ft}}
| lens ={{convert|155|mm|disp=flip}}
| range = {{convert|6|nmi}}
| characteristic = Fl W 6s
| fogsignal =HORN: 1 every 15s
| module = {{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
| name = Lubec Channel Light Station
| nearest_city = Lubec, Maine
| architect = US Army Corps of Engineers
| added = March 14, 1988
| area = less than one acre
| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64500264|title=Light Stations of Maine MPS}}
| refnum = 88000152{{NRISref|2009a}}
}}
}}
Lubec Channel Light is a sparkplug lighthouse in Lubec, Maine.{{cite uscghist|ME|date=2009-08-06}}{{cite uscgll|1|2009|10}}{{cite rowlett|me|date=2009-10-09}} Established in 1890, it is one of three surviving sparkplug lights in the state, and served as an important aid to navigation on the route from the Bay of Fundy to Eastport, Maine and the St. Croix River It is set in shallow waters in the Lubec Channel, about {{convert|500|ft}} from the Canada–United States border. The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Lubec Channel Light Station on March 14, 1988. The lighthouse was sold by auction into private hands on 2007.{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Sue |title=New Owner of Lubec Channel Lighthouse: Gary Zaremba |work=Lighthouse News |url=http://lighthouse-news.com/2007/10/02/new-owner-of-lubec-channel-lighthouse-gary-zaremba/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829135249/http://lighthouse-news.com/2007/10/02/new-owner-of-lubec-channel-lighthouse-gary-zaremba/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 29, 2008 |date=October 2, 2007}}
Description and history
The town of Lubec is located in far eastern Maine, standing across the international border from Canada's Campobello Island. The Lubec Narrows passes between the two, which are joined by the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge. South of the bridge lies a shallow bay, which opens into the Gulf of Maine after passing West Quoddy Head Light. In the 1880s a channel was dredged through the shallows to facilitate seagoing commerce from the port communities of Lubec, Eastport and Calais. An 1883 report recommended installation of a light on the channel to aid navigation, funding was authorized in 1888, and the light went into operation in 1890. It was automated in 1939.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=88000152}}|title=NRHP nomination for Lubec Channel Light|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2015-10-31}}
The light is set to on the west side of the channel, and is mounted on a concrete foundation set in the muddy channel bottom. Its lower stage is a cast-iron round base, which flares out to support a wide deck. Originally sheltered by a shed roof, this deck is now exposed. The tower's second stage rises above, with a railing around its top, and a narrow third stage which supports the lantern house, also surrounded by a deck and railing. The lantern house is crowned by a spherical ventilator. The lantern stands {{convert|53|ft|m}} above Mean High Water.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{commons category|Lubec Channel Light}}
{{Lighthouses of Maine}}
{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Lighthouses completed in 1890
Category:Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Maine
Category:Lighthouses in Washington County, Maine
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Washington County, Maine