Cape Neddick Lighthouse

Living in New England provides opportunity to visit many beautiful places. York Maine and its gorgeous coastline is 12 miles from home.

As you drive along the beach, you start to get a glimpse of the Cape Neddick Lighthouse or The Nubble as it is referred to by locals.

It is breathtaking during the warmer months and majestic when lit with holiday lights. If you ever plan a visit to the New England area, it should definitely be on your bucket list of stops.

The Nubble is surrounded by water, but you can see it up close and personal from Sohier Park which has parking and a gift shop. 🙂

History:  In the colonial times, mariner traffic was pivotal to the growth of the area, but the rocks along the Maine cost were extremely dangerous.

In an attempt to protect the sailing vessels and the men and women on board, area citizens petitioned President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1874 to provide $15,000 for a light to mark the rocky shore. Construction was completed in 1879.

The Cape Neddick Lighthouse stands 41 feet tall, but the light is actually 88 feet above sea level because of the height of the steep rocks it was built on.

It was manned from 1879 until it was automated in 1987. The Nubble was then placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1997, the Town of York  was granted permanent guardianship of the Nubble. Today the care and upkeep is managed by the Parks Department while the US Coast Guard continues to maintain the light and horn.