About - Eagle Island Light

About Eagle Island Light

Eagle Island Light shines brightly to this day and remains a classic example of early Maine lighthouses. Commissioned in 1838 with President Martin Van Buren’s signature, Eagle Island Light has been cared for by 23 lightkeepers until it was automated in 1959. The Light consists of a granite block and rubble tower topped by a metal lantern house, located on Eagle Island overlooking East Penobscot Bay.

The nearby wooden bell tower was erected in 1932 and was used to sound warning to mariners in the fog. The bell tower still stands and is one of only three such towers left on the Maine coast. In 1964, the government decided to demolish other buildings at the station, including the lightkeeper’s house that adjoined the tower.

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Lighting Penobscot Bay

Since 1838

Eagle Light Caretakers

Eagle Light Caretakers (ELC) is a non-profit (501.c3) organization committed to the restoration and protection of Eagle Island Light, a unique landmark in East Penobscot Bay, Maine. The Light endures through our efforts and your contributions, providing a navigational beacon to fishermen and recreational sailors alike while inspiring pride in Maine’s maritime heritage. ELC was constituted in 1996 as a result of the Maine Lights Program, where the federal government turned over the majority of Maine lighthouses to nonprofits.

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Board of Trustees

Carrie Cotter

President

Julian Rodriguez

Secretary

Sam Kendrick

Treasurer

Ellen Howe

Trustee

Thea Howe

Trustee

Sam Kendrick

Trustee

Lori Lamb

Trustee

Eliza Ruder

Trustee

Restoration

Renewed restoration efforts by the Eagle Light Caretakers began in 2015. The improvements have focused on restoration of the lighthouse in phases, with three phases completed while the remaining await funding.

Phase I

Completed in 2017

Secured the structure from the destructive marine elements by reconstructing the doorway, repointing the outer granite blocks, and applying high-end architectural paint.

Before

After

Phase II

Completed in 2018

Replaced and painted the paneling, restored the ceiling inside the lantern house, and refinished the outside deck that affords East Penobscot Bay’s best views.

Before

After

Phase III

Completed in 2024

Addressed one of the more urgent structural problems: the deterioration of interior metal elements that provide access to the lantern house. In particular, the iconic and beautiful cast-iron staircase was scraped, repaired, and painted. The staircase superbly represents the architecture and social era of lighthouses in 1857. 167 years later, Eagle Light Caretakers were excited to bring the staircase back to preservation condition. The tower also received a new exterior paint job, top to bottom.

Before

After

Phase IV

Beginning in 2026

Estimated to cost $45,000, Phase IV will restore interior brickwork. Work will include removing algae growth on walls, scraping away carefully the old lime coat plaster, refilling joints with new suitable mortar, and replastering the interior walls with two coats of natural cement lime based coating followed by a final topcoat of pulverized quartz.