Whitehead Island Lighthouse on Whitehead Island was authorized in 1804 by President Thomas Jefferson and went into service in 1807. It is the third oldest active light station in the state of Maine.
The area is covered in fog one out of every five days so a perpetual fog bell was installed in 1837. The rise and fall of the tide wound a spring mechanism that continuously operated the bell.
Because of its foggy location, huge amounts of coal were needed to operate the steam powered fog whistles. A famous donkey named "Jack" was acquired from the mainland around 1885. In addition to providing nearly 19 years of dedicated service to his caretakers, and providing the means of delivering coal for the fog whistles to the constant traffic of ships, Jack enjoyed exploring the island, became quite a local tourist attraction, and was a frequent site by the children at the one-room schoolhouse.
The light was automated in 1982, converted to solar power in 2001, and restoration of the keeper's house was completed in 2008.
This ¾" thick wooden lighthouse keepsake is handcrafted in the U.S. with colorful details. It can set neatly on a shelf, wainscoting, or window/door trim to remind you of a special place you've visited or dream of visiting someday. A short description is written on the back. Look for Casper, our mascot black cat, taking up residence within the design. This is the sign of an authentic Cat’s Meow
