Burnt Island Light Station in 1859. National Archives photo.

Boothbay Harbor was a busy fishing port in the early 1800s. Burnt Island Lighthouse, one of the earliest lighthouses in the area, was established at the west side of the entrance to the harbor in 1821. The 30-foot stone tower was accompanied by a stone dwelling.

Not much is known about the first keeper, a man named Marr. Joseph Prescott Chandler, who was born in 1776 in New Hampton, New Hampshire, succeeded him in 1830.

According to some sources the tower was rebuilt in the 1850s, but it appears the only change was the enlargement of the lantern for the installation of a fourth-order Fresnel lens.

In 1857, the house was torn down and replaced by a new 1 1/2-story wood-frame cottage.

A walkway between the tower and house was also added in 1857. The boathouse and oil house that still remain were built in 1880 and 1899 respectively.

In 1888, a "dead angle" was added to the light so it wouldn't be seen on the approach to the Cuckolds Light, to the south, and confused with that light. It was changed in 1890 to fixed red with two white sectors, marking the clear channels into Boothbay Harbor, in 1890.

Engraving from the 1880s

The fog bell tower

From the collection of Edward Rowe Snow

Courtesy of Dorothy Bicknell

A bell tower with a 1,029 pound fog bell was added in 1895.

For much of its history, this was a much sought-after family station. The island is close to the mainland and the trip for supplies was usually not difficult. In 1948, Sidney Baldwin wrote in Casting off from Boothbay Harbor

Near to Mouse lies Burnt Island, where the light stands that marks the approach to the harbor, one of the most popular lights along the coast, made so by the friendliness of Keeper Joseph Muise and his wife and family. His wife, with three girls of school age, Adelle, Prudence and Ann, take a house in the Harbor through the school months, going out to the island in the summer.

The keepers took great pride in the attractive station. Coast Guardsman Joe Johansen, who maintained equipment at lighthouses, described a visit to Burnt Island while Muise was keeper: "We went to walk in the house to have a cup of coffee and we had to take our shoes off. You could see your face in the deck."

Tom Norton was the Coast Guard keeper in the late 1960s. He married Betsy Smith a month before he was assigned to the lighthouse. The couple had a son, Stuart Norton, during their time at the light station. Before leaving in 1970, Tom Norton said, "If I could stay here I would re-enlist for another 20 years." "We've certainly got to know each other here," added Betsy.

In April 1962, Burnt Island Light became the last lighthouse in New England to be converted from kerosene to electricity. Then, in 1988, it became one of the last Maine lights to be automated. Today the light is produced by a modern 300 mm lens.

Circa 1940s photo from Casting off from Boothbay Harbor by Sidney Baldwin

In February 1998, as part of the Maine Lights Program, the Maine Lighthouse Selection Committee approved the transfer of Burnt Island Light to the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The "Burnt Island Living Lighthouse" provides maritime history programs as well as programs in navigation, ecosystems, fisheries, art, literature and music. Under the Maine DMR the buildings at the light station have been gradually restored to the circa 1950 period.

A three-hour public tour and educational program is offered Mondays and Thursdays at 1 p.m., from early July to early September. The Novelty, located at Pier 8 in Boothbay Harbor, serves as the ferry to the island. You can call (207) 633-2284 or click here for information.

From the collection of Edward Rowe Snow

Courtesy of Dorothy Bicknell