Goose Rocks Lighthouse

     Goose Rocks Lighthouse was established in 1890 at the eastern entrance to the Fox Islands Thoroughfare, a busy waterway between Vinalhaven and North Haven islands. The Fox Islands, over 50 in all, were named by explorer Martin Pring after the silver foxes that were common there.

     The Goose Rocks Light is a typical "sparkplug" style cast-iron lighthouse of the era, built on a round cast-iron caisson filled with concrete. The tower, which has three stories inside, was painted red until 1903; today the caisson is painted black and the tower is white.     The light was automated in 1963. After automation, for a time there were local people, called "lamplighters," employed to control the fog signal at the lighthouse.

     The lighthouse was expected to be turned over to the town of North Haven or a local organization under the Maine Lights Program in the 1990s, but there were no applicants.

     In June 2004, it was announced that the lighthouse would be transferred to a suitable new owner.  However, the only application was rejected, so the lighthouse was sold by the General Services Administration by sealed bid. The high bidder was Beacon Preservation, Inc. of Ansonia, Connecticut. Ownership was officially transferred in November 2006.

     Goose Rocks Light remains an active aid to navigation and can be seen distantly from Vinalhaven and North Haven. You can also see it on the following cruises and scenic flights.

Cruises:

Old Quarry Ocean Adventures
Stonington, Maine 
(207) 367-8977
The Lighthouses Boat Trip provides views of 7 lighthouses: Isle au Haut, Saddleback, Brown's Head, Goose Rocks, Eagle Island, Pumpkin Island, and Deer Isle Thorofare (Mark Island).

Scenic Flights:

Penobscot Island Air 
Offering a variety of possibilities for lighthouse viewing flights from Owls Head.

     Directions:  For the best view from land, proceed on U.S. Route 1 to Rockland and take the ferry to North Haven.  Distant views can be found from one of the very few roads.  It is a very enjoyable trip during which one passes the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, the Owls Head Lighthouse and the Browns Head Lighthouse which is on Vinalhaven.  Afternoon light offers the best opportunity for photographs.

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