Wood Island Lighthouse, Biddeford ca. 1890

Contributed by Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse

Description

Postcard of Wood Island Lighthouse created ca. 1898. This beacon located on the eastern end of Wood Island off the coast of Biddeford and Saco, helped mariners find their way into what was known as Winter Harbor (today's Saco Bay). The lighthouse or light station was maintained by a "keeper" and his family. The light was activated at night and on very dark days. The lantern room atop the tower was made of cast iron and housed a fourth order Fresnel lens. This lens design was developed by a French physicist named August Fresnel ca. 1822. The U.S. didn't start importing and using these lenses until 1841 and Wood Island did not receive a Fresnel lens until 1858. The tower had to be reconstructed in order to support the new lens. During the day the lens was covered by a curtain so that the harsh sunlight wouldn't discolor the glass lens. The stone wall was built by keeper Abraham Norwood sometime during his stay at Wood Island (1832-1841). Only a small portion is visible today (2005). The pyramidal building on the right was the fog bell tower established in 1873.

The postcard is in the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse collection.

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About This Item

  • Title: Wood Island Lighthouse, Biddeford ca. 1890
  • Creation Date: circa 1890
  • Subject Date: circa 1890
  • Location: Wood Island, Biddeford, York County, ME
  • Media: Postcard
  • Object Type: Image

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For more information about this item, contact:

Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse
PO Box 26, Biddeford Pool, ME 04006
(207) 286-3229
Website

Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.

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