Doubling Point Range Lights, Navigation lights in Arrowsic, Maine, United States
Doubling Point Range Lights are two octagonal wooden towers positioned on the banks of the Kennebec River, connected by walkways to the keeper's dwelling. The smaller structure aligns with the larger one to form a navigation system that guides vessels through the river's bends.
In 1898, these lights were constructed to safely guide ships through the winding Kennebec River where a major shipbuilding industry flourished. They represented part of broader river navigation improvements that made water transport in the region safer and more reliable.
These range lights represented the maritime backbone that allowed ships to navigate safely through one of Maine's most critical waterways. Today they stand as a reminder of how shipping shaped the region's economy and community identity.
The site is best viewed from the water and is commonly passed during river and boat tours. The best vantage point reveals the alignment of both towers as ship captains would have seen it for navigation purposes.
The larger tower measures about 17 feet (5 m) and the smaller about 13 feet (4 m), a precise height ratio that allowed sailors to recognize them correctly from great distances. This simple yet effective visual system required no complex lighting, just the correct geometric positioning.
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