Petit Manan Light, Historic lighthouse in Washington County, United States.
Petit Manan Light is a circular granite tower rising 36 meters above the ocean in Washington County. The interior features iron stairs spiraling upward, supported by a stone foundation approximately 6 meters in diameter.
A modest stone tower was built in 1817, but the current structure dates to 1855 and was constructed to guide vessels through treacherous waters between Dyer Bay and Pigeon Hill Bay. This rebuild became necessary to address the increasing maritime traffic along Maine's coast.
The lighthouse served as a vital navigation point for sailors navigating Maine's treacherous coastal waters. Its isolated island location reflects how such structures shaped maritime life and safety in the region.
The tower itself is closed to public entry, but summer boat tours to the island provide the best way to see the structure and observe local wildlife. These trips offer visitors the chance to approach the lighthouse from the water and explore the surrounding refuge area.
The tower has run entirely on solar power since 2001 after a severe nor'easter damaged the original electrical equipment. This conversion to renewable energy makes it a rare example of a historic lighthouse operating with modern sustainable technology.
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