Notes:
(1) Goat Island Light was built to mark the entrance to Cape Porpoise Harbor.
     Cape Porpoise Harbor was a busy fishing seaport and is currently renown for shipping lobsters nation-wide.

      In 1834, a 20-feet high stone Tower and Keeper’s house was constructed to guide fishermen into Cape Porpoise Harbor at the mouth of the Kennebunk River.  John Lord was appointed the first Light-keeper from 1834 to 1842.



      A new Tower, illuminated by a Fifth-order Fresnel Lens, and Keeper’s house was built in 1860.


      Unfortunately, the Lighthouse did not sufficiently mark hazardous rocks near Goat Island as noted by the Forty-six shipwrecks recorded from 1865 to 1920.  Thankfully, no loss of life occurred due in part to the Light Keepers rescuing the survivors.

      The current 25-feet high brick Lighthouse was erected during the 1880s and was connected to the 1-1/2 story Keeper’s house by a covered walkway.  In 1905, a boathouse was built followed by the construction of a Oil house in 1907.

      In 1990, the Fresnel lens was replaced with a automated 300-mm optic.  Goat Island Light was next to the last Lighthouse in the United States to be automated (In 1998, Boston Light became the final American Lighthouse to be automated).  Goat Island was leased to the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust in 1992 and the Lighthouse became the property of the Trust in 1997.

(2) The last Lighthouse in Maine to be automated.

(3) Emergency light of reduced intensity when main light is extinguished.

(4) The last manned lighthouse in Maine.  Boswain Mate, Brad Culp, was the last Light Keeper of Goat Island Light.

      The Coast Guard used the island as a security station for President George Bush.  The presidential compound at Walker’s Point is about a mile from Goat Island.  Military and security helicopters landed on the island when foreign dignitaries visited.

(5) Directions from US Route 1 in Maine:
      Exit onto ME 9 toward Kennebunkport, travel to Cape Porpoise Center.
At the 90 degree turn, either bear right (traveling northbound) or turn left (traveling southbound) onto Pier Road and continue to the town wharf.

Free parking is located near the Cape Porpoise Chowder House and the wharf.
Distant views of the Lighthouse can be seen from the the parking area or wharf.
The Lighthouse is best viewed by boat noting that Goat Island and the lighthouse are not open to the public.

Second Chance Lighthouse Cruise offers a special “Lighthouse Folklore Cruise” with a close view of Goat Island Light.  For additional information, (800) 767-2628 or visit their web site:

Goat Island Light Wallpaper View of Goat Island Light from the the Town Fish Pier at Cape Porpoise Harbor Photo highlights the Lighthouse yet the wharf at Cape Porpoise provides panoramic Scenic Views of Cape Porpoise Harbor and the Lighthouse.

Goat Island Lighthouse Web Cam

Goat Island Lighthouse Print
by EaArts

Cape Porpoise Lobster Company
Ships Live Maine Lobsters

Detailed Map of Cape Porpoise Harbor

US Coast Guard Station South Portland
Portland, Maine to Hampton Harbor, New Hampshire Seacoast region