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Curtis Island Light, Maine

This week's Lighthouse of the Week is one that holds special importance to me. It's my hometown lighthouse, the Curtis Island Light, which has stood guard at the entrance to Camden Harbor since 1836. Recently, the caretaker of the light since the 1970's, DeeDee Conover, took me over to Curtis Island for a tour of the lighthouse and the island. Camdenites take pride in the history of the lighthouse and its symbolism of the town's great seafaring lore
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The Keeper at Negro Island had a clear view up & down western Penobscot Bay. The Keeper set up a system to alert the townspeople in Camden when a steamer was heading into port. When he saw a ship leaving Rockland Harbor to the south or Northport to the north he would raise a large ball up a tall pole. According to a story which ran in the Camden Herald when the cry of 'the ball is up' was heard in town folks expecting guests would head to the harbor to greet the ships.
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The Keeper at Negro Island had a clear view up & down western Penobscot Bay. The Keeper set up a system to alert the townspeople in Camden when a steamer was heading into port. When he saw a ship leaving Rockland Harbor to the south or Northport to the north he would raise a large ball up a tall pole. According to a story which ran in the Camden Herald when the cry of 'the ball is up' was heard in town folks expecting guests would head to the harbor to greet the ships.

CurtisIslandLight

  • On the western coast of Penobscot Bay lies a harbor where the Megunticook River empties and mountains loom. Early settlers to the area were attracted by the great stands of wood and available water power for sawmills. Legend says that a black cook serving aboard a ship (either John Smith's in the 1600's or James Richards in the 1700's depending on the story) entering the harbor stated his desire to own the island lying at the entrance. From that time forth the island at the entrance to Camden Harbor came to be known as Negro Island.
  • As the sawmill industry grew and lime was found to be excavated and processed, a town grew up around the harbor. In 1791 the Town of Camden was incorporated and a local government was setup. With its sheltered harbor Camden became an important port for ships plying the route from Boston to Bangor.
  • As steamships began to utilize Camden’s harbor in the early 1800’s the steamship companies pressured the government to provide a light. In response on June 30, 1834 Congress appropriated $4,500 for the construction of the Negro Island Lighthouse.
  • *Curtis Island Light in a winter sea-fog*<br />
A deed was signed with John Dorr of Boston on March 14, 1835 purchasing Negro Island for a lighthouse reservation for $400. On May 20, 1835 the government entered into a construction contract with George Gault of Boston. Gault agreed to build a lighthouse and dwelling on the island for $2,569.
  • Gault built a 20 foot lighthouse tower from rubblestone found on the island. The tower was topped by a lantern which was fitted with 8 oil lamps with 14 inch reflectors provided by Joseph Berry of Georgetown, Maine for a cost of $650
  • *A view of Camden Harbor and Curtis Island from the top of Mount Battie*<br />
In 1836 Keeper H.K.M. Bowers lit the fixed white light of the Negro Island Light for the first time.
  • The Keeper at Negro Island had a clear view up & down western Penobscot Bay. The Keeper set up a system to alert the townspeople in Camden when a steamer was heading into port. When he saw a ship leaving Rockland Harbor to the south or Northport to the north he would raise a large ball up a tall pole. According to a story which ran in the Camden Herald when the cry of 'the ball is up' was heard in town folks expecting guests would head to the harbor to greet the ships.
  • In an inspection report from 1838 the station was found to be in "very good order". Just 4 years later an inspection found that the tower had been cracked by a recent storm. This caused an ongoing problem with the tower leaking in the ensuing years.
  • In an attempt to address the leaky tower the Lighthouse Establishment had the tower covered in an octagonal wood sheathing in 1855.
  • A view from inside the work room attached to the tower. Copies of historical documents and news articles relating to the lighthouse are hung on the walls.
  • The iron stairway up to the lantern room.
  • The lantern was equipped with a Fourth Order Fresnel lens replacing the 8 oil lamps with reflectors in 1855. The lens was removed when the light was automated. Currently a 300mm solar powered optic provides the light. The wood in the lantern room was recently restored by caretaker Connie Conover.
  • The original Fourth Order Fresnel lens from the Negro Island Light. Previously on display in the Camden Public Library it was recently moved to the Town Office.
  • Repairs were made to the original rubblestone Keepers dwelling and a new wood shed was built in 1867-68. In 1889 a new wood framed 1.5 story farmhouse was built. The new home for the Keeper was more spacious with 6 large rooms.
  • The ladder leading to the lantern room.
  • A view from the dining room of the Keepers house. The Keeper could eat his meal and watch the light at the same time.
  • An oil house was added to the station in 1894. It was moved to its present location further away from the dwelling in 1900.
  • In May 1896 the old rubblestone tower was dismantled and the lantern was placed on a temporary structure. A new 25 foot brick Federal style lighthouse was built on the original site and completed in July.
  • The lantern was installed on the new tower and lit for the first time on July 30, 1896 shining a light 52 feet above sea level.
  • In 1897 a 1,000 pound fog bell and tower with striking machinery was installed at the station. Previously the bell was struck by hand during inclement weather.
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