American Lighthouse Foundation

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
    • Historic Preservation
    • Lighthouse History
    • Programs & Public Access
      • Lighthouse Tours
      • Stay at a Lighthouse
  • Where We Work
    • ALF Interpretive Center
    • Lighthouse Projects
    • ALF Chapters
    • Affiliate Members
  • How to Help
    • Become a Lighthouse GEM!
    • Donate Today
    • Become a Member
    • Memorial Donation
  • Events
    • Maine Open Lighthouse Day
    • Midcoast Maine Lighthouse Challenge
    • National Lighthouse Day
  • Latest News…
  • Shop Online

Little River Lighthouse

Location: Cutler, ME  (View Map)

Little River Lighthouse, Cutler, ME

Little River Lighthouse, Cutler, ME (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)

Coordinates: 44° 39′ 03″N 67° 11′ 32″W

Overview:

Once listed by Maine Preservation as one of Maine’s Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties, Little River Lighthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, has been undergoing restoration since 2001. The lighthouse was re-lighted in 2001 after it had been dark for 26 years. It is cared for by the Friends of Little River Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation.

  • Quick Facts
  • Historic Info
  • Preservation Needs
  • Public Access

Quick Lighthouse Facts:

  • Year Built: 1876
  • Height of Tower: 41 feet
  • Description: White cast-iron, conical tower showing a flashing white light every 6 seconds from a focal plane of 56-feet above sea level that is visible 16 nautical miles. The light station is equipped with a fog horn that sounds one blast every 10 seconds. The fog horn operates continuously. – Reference: 2014 U.S. Coast Guard Light List
  • Location: At the mouth of Little River. – Reference: 1939 U.S. Lighthouse Service Light List
  • Automated: 1975
  • Status: Active aid to navigation maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The light station is owned by the American Lighthouse Foundation through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act

The first lighthouse established at Little River was built in 1847. The need for a lighthouse was brought about by the increase of trade, shipbuilding and the fishing industry in Cutler Harbor – the last protected harbor on the Maine coast before Canada. The light’s ineffective lamps and reflectors were replaced by a fifth order Fresnel lens in 1855.

The lighthouse was replaced by a new beacon in 1876, which continues to serve today as an active aid to navigation. Little River was a three-man station until 1973 when the Coast Guard changed the station’s personnel to a one-person station. The lighthouse was automated two years later. By 1980, the Coast Guard decided to remove the tower’s Fresnel lens and move the light to a skeleton tower out in front of the historic station. The light station was licensed to the American Lighthouse Foundation in 2000, and one year later – thanks to the dedicated efforts of the organization, the light was placed back in the restored tower and a relighting ceremony took place on October 2, 2001. Ownership of the historic light station was transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to the American Lighthouse Foundation on July 27, 2002 under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.

Preservation Status:

The lighthouse and keeper’s house have been restored and are now being preserved under a maintenance schedule. The station also includes an oil house and boat house.

Offshore – Open House Tours & Overnight Stay Programs

Little River Light Station Overnight Stay Program

Little River Light Station Overnight Stay Program (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)

Overnight Stay Program: ALF and it’s local chapter, Friends of Little River Lighthouse, invites you to visit this breathtaking site, refreshingly located off the beaten path, where you can experience tranquility at its best on a Downeast island during your overnight stay. Learn More…

Open House Tours: Located on a 15-acre island in Cutler, Maine, Little River Lighthouse is the quintessential Maine island lighthouse experience.

The Friends of Little River Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, offers special Open Houses during the summer season, so that the general public can have the opportunity to visit and enjoy the island light station. Boat transportation to the island from Cutler Harbor is provided. Learn More…

 

Local ALF Chapter Information:

Friends of Little River Lighthouse

Mailing Address:

Friends of Little River Lighthouse
P.O. Box 565
Rockland, ME 04841

Website:

www.littleriverlight.org

News Links:

Little River Lighthouse Memories (8/14/2020)
A Lighthouse Needed on Little River Island (3/25/2020)
The Lantern at Little River Light is Sealed and Gleaming (11/18/2019)
Storm Moved Bell Tower at Little River (10/6/2019)
Little River Light’s “Weekend Warriors” are Honored with ALF Volunteer Awards (5/4/2019)
On the Doorstep of Safe Refuge and Still Wrecked at Little River Light (10/17/2018)
Maine Lighthouse Specialty License Plate Announced (6/23/2018)
FLRL’s Lemieux Family Honored with ALF Volunteer Awards (5/6/2018)
Cynthia Rowden Receives ALF Volunteer Award (5/22/2016)
Terry Rowden Receives ALF’s “President’s Award” at Gala (5/21/2016)
Gleam from Little River Lighthouse Grows Brighter (8/11/2013)
4th Annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day Set for September 15 (7/14/2012)
Suiting Up for Winter Safety at Maine’s Little River Lighthouse (2/2/2012)
Lighthouse Keeper First To Welcome New Year (12/31/2011)
Missing Cutler Lighthouse Lenses Sought (10/21/2011)
Little River Lighthouse Seeks Help for Lighthouse Endeavor (10/21/2011)
Maine Open Lighthouse Day Set for September 17 (7/20/2011)
Working to Reestablish Safe Access to Little River Light (6/28/2011)
Rare Artifact Donated to Little River Lighthouse (6/22/2011)
Lighthouse Keepers Honored With Grave Markers (6/6/2011)

 

 

Make A Donation!

Help support the American Lighthouse Foundation by making a donation today!
 
Donate Button with Credit Cards

Where We Work…

  • ALF Interpretive Center
  • List of Lighthouses
  • ALF Chapters
  • Affiliates
  • Past Projects
Join Our Email List
For Email Marketing you can trust.

Upcoming Events

  1. 2021 Annual Lighthouse Gala

    April 25 @ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  2. Maine Open Lighthouse Day 2021

    September 11 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

View All Events

Search

American Lighthouse Foundation Logo

American Lighthouse Foundation

PO Box 565, Rockland, ME 04841
Ph: (207) 594-4174
Celebrating 25 Years!

Copypright © 2021 · American Lighthouse Foundation