Lying ten miles off the coast of Maine, Monhegan Island is one of the most historical islands on the east coast. It was home to one of Maine’s first fishing villages and has been visited by explorers since the 1500’s due to the accommodating harbor between itself and Manana Island. The cliffs which rise up to 160 feet made it an important landmark for early navigators. Soon after Maine gained statehood in 1820, the state legislature sent a petition to Congress requesting the erection of a lighthouse on Monhegan Island.