Cape Neddick Light

Cape Neddick Light

The Cape Neddick Light is a lighthouse in Cape Neddick, York, Maine. In 1874 Congress appropriated $15,000 to build a light station at the "Nubble" and in 1879 construction began.

Cape Neddick Light Station was dedicated by the U.S. Lighthouse Service and put into use in 1879. It is still in use today.

Plans had been in the works to build a lighthouse on the site since 1837. The tower is lined with brick and sheathed with cast iron. It stands 41 feet (12 m) tall but the light is 88 feet (27 m) above sea level because of the additional height of the steep rocky islet on which it sits. Unusually, the stanchions of the walkway railing around the lantern room are decorated with 4-inch (100 mm) brass replicas of the lighthouse itself.

The Cape Neddick Light stands on Nubble Island about 100 yards (91 m) off Cape Neddick Point. It is commonly known as "Nubble Light" or simply "the Nubble".

Nubble Light is a famous American icon and a classic example of a lighthouse. The Voyager spacecraft, which carries photographs of Earth's most prominent man-made structures and natural features, should it fall into the hands of intelligent extraterrestrials, includes a photo of Nubble Light with images of the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.

Location

Cape Neddick
York County, Maine
USA

Getting There

Public transportation options to the area are limited, so the best way to reach Cape Neddick Light is by car or bike.

If you are driving from Boston, take Interstate 95 North to Exit 7 in York, Maine. Follow signs for Route 1A and Cape Neddick. The lighthouse is located at the end of Nubble Road. There is a parking lot near the lighthouse, but it can get crowded during peak season.

If you are biking, you can follow the Eastern Trail from Portland to Kennebunk, and then take Route 1A to Cape Neddick. The Eastern Trail is a 65-mile multi-use trail that runs from Kittery to South Portland, Maine.

Nearby Airports

This is a list of primary airports in Maine that have scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines.