Nubble Lighthouse takes its name from the narrow stretch of land leading to the small island housing the lighthouse.
The Nubble Lighthouse is located near the town of York, Maine about 50 miles south of Portland. It was constructed in 1879 and it was known as the Knubble Lighthouse. The United States government transferred the caretaking of the lighthouse to the U. S. Coast Guard in 1939 and it was officially named the Cape Neddick Lightstation.
In July of 1987 the lighthouse was automated and the last service man from the Coast Guard and his family left their home on the island. In December of 1997, the town of York, Maine was given the permanent guardianship for Nubble Lighthouse.
Nubble Island
Nubble lighthouse sits on tiny Nubble Island that is roughly 2.5 acres in size and is separated from the mainland of Cape Neddick by a small channel that is approximately 100 feet wide. It is not accessible to visitors because it is on an island but it is so close to land that it is easily viewed from York’s seaside Sohier Park. The park has a small parking area with a capacity for 60 vehicles and is open from mid-April through mid-October.
Keeper’s House and the Light Station
The keeper’s house is a small Victorian style house with gingerbread trim on the roof and above the front porch. The lighthouse is roughly 41 feet tall and is 88 feet above sea level. Its red light has a 13 mile range and flashes on for 6 seconds and off for 6 seconds.
Cable Car
A cable car system connects the island to the mainland to transport supplies between the mainland and the island. The cable is strung from telephone poles at both ends and the cable and transport box is visible in the photo below.
The Dust on My Shoes
Nubble Lighthouse is one of the more picturesque lighthouses that I have visited. Most lighthouses are accessible from land but that means that having a sea view of the lighthouse is not possible. The view of Nubble Lighthouse from Sohier Park is actually a sea view of the lighthouse without having to take a boat into the ocean.
Nubble Lighthouse is a popular destination for visitors and the small parking area in Solier Park stays full but most people visiting the lighthouse don’t stay long so parking spaces are opening frequently. After taking a few photos, there is not much to do so the parking lot turnover is frequent.
New England is famous of having picturesque lighthouses and visiting a lighthouse is a “must do” activity in New England. With over 200 lighthouses in the region, it is hard to say which lighthouse is the best to visit. I put Nubble Lighthouse in my list of top lighthouses in New England just because of its unique sea view of the lighthouse.
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