Little River Lighthouse

      In 2001, the American Lighthouse Foundation, in partnership with the United States Coast Guard, restored the light tower, the boat ramp, and the wooden walkway on the island.  This allowed for a light to again be installed in the tower, which had been dark since 1975.

      In October of 2001, the Little River Lighthouse was re-lit as a “Beacon of Freedom to the World”.   The relighting ceremony, reported to be the largest gathering in Cutler’s history. It was a dual ceremony honoring those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 as well as honoring the memory of the people of the United States Lighthouse Service and the United States Coast Guard who served at the Little River Lighthouse.

     The first lighthouse at Little River was built in 1847.  Both the tower and the keeper’s house which were attached were built of granite and stone.  It was a near twin to the Prospect Harbor Point Lighthouse.

The Boat House

      In 1876 the stone tower was replaced by one constructed with bricks, encased by steel, which still stands today.  At one time it was painted red with a black lantern room.  In 1881 the old boathouse was demolished and replaced by the one that is now there. The old stone and granite keeper’s house was replaced in 1888 by the present two story wooden Victorian style house. 

The Oil House

     In 1905, for safety reasons, the government built an oil house at the site.  It was built using some of the leftover granite from the original tower.  It is identical to many oil houses that were built at most lighthouses in New England.  When electricity came to the island and whale oil or kerosene was no longer needed the building was then named “The Paint Locker”.

Jack and Tobi Graham, Caretakers

     There have been two different fog bell towers at the Little River Lighthouse.  Unfortunately, both have been destroyed.  The original bell is now on display in the Cutler Town Circle.

     In 1939 the United States Lighthouse Service was abolished and its duties were merged into the Coast Guard.  Willie W. Corbett who served at other Maine lighthouses, Served here from 1921 to 1939.  He had the distinction of being the last keeper of the United States Lighthouse Service to be at the Little River Lighthouse, officially ending the era of family lighthouse keeping in Cutler.

     The tower originally had a fifth order Fresnel Lens.  In 1975 it was removed and replaced by modern optic on a skeleton tower near where the foghorn and solar panels now sit.  The whereabouts of the Fresnel lens remains a mystery to this day.

     The tower originally had a fifth order Fresnel Lens.  In 1975 it was removed and replaced by modern optic on a skeleton tower near where the foghorn and solar panels now sit.  The whereabouts of the Fresnel lens remains a mystery to this day.

     In the fall of 1998 Maine Historic Preservation declared the Little River Lighthouse Station as one of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties in the state. 

     In 2000, when it was evident that the lighthouse could eventually be declared excess property and could be sold to the highest bidder, the American Lighthouse Foundation stepped forward and was granted an historic preservation license and lease fro the Coast Guard.  In 2002 ownership of the entire island and all the buildings, including the tower, were transferred to the American Lighthouse Foundation.It was the first lighthouse in New England to have its ownership transferred to a nonprofit group under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

Panoramic View From Light Tower (Click to Enlarge)

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