Marshall Point Lighthouse Live Cam

It's down at the end of the peninsula from Thomaston



Marshall Point Lighthouse History

Marshall Point Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located in Port Clyde, Maine, USA. It was first built in 1832 to help guide ships through the dangerous waters of the Penobscot Bay. However, the original lighthouse was a wooden structure, which was replaced in 1857 by the current brick tower that stands today.

Over the years, the lighthouse and its surrounding buildings were used by the U.S. Coast Guard to keep watch over the coastline, particularly during times of war. During World War II, the lighthouse was used as a lookout post to help detect enemy submarines and ships.

In 1980, the Coast Guard decommissioned the lighthouse, and it was eventually turned over to the town of St. George, which then formed the Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum. Today, visitors can explore the museum and climb the 31-foot tower to take in the stunning views of the coast.

The lighthouse also gained some fame when it was featured in the 1994 movie "Forrest Gump". In the movie, the main character, played by Tom Hanks, completes his cross-country run at Marshall Point Lighthouse.

Overall, the Marshall Point Lighthouse has a rich history and is an important landmark on the Maine coast, both for its navigational significance and its cultural importance.

Here are some additional details about Marshall Point Lighthouse:

  • The lighthouse is named after the Marshall family, who were some of the earliest settlers in the Port Clyde area.
  • The original wooden lighthouse was designed by Alexander Parris, who also designed several other lighthouses in Maine and Massachusetts.
  • The current brick tower is 31 feet tall and has a focal plane of 37 feet. It originally used a fourth-order Fresnel lens to project its light, but the lens was removed in the 1980s and replaced with a modern optic.
  • The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
  • The Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum features exhibits about the history of the lighthouse, the role of lighthouses in general, and the maritime history of the Port Clyde area.
  • Visitors can climb the tower to see the light and take in panoramic views of the coast. The tower is open to the public from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
  • In addition to its appearance in "Forrest Gump", Marshall Point Lighthouse has also been featured in other movies and TV shows, including the TV series "Peyton Place" and the movie "Message in a Bottle".
  • The lighthouse is also a popular spot for photographers, especially during sunrise and sunset, when the light casts a warm glow over the surrounding landscape.

Port Clyde Harbor

Port Clyde Harbor is a historic fishing village located in the town of St. George, Maine, USA. The harbor has a rich history that dates back to the early 1800s when it was a thriving fishing and shipbuilding community.

In the mid-1800s, Port Clyde became an important shipping port for lime, which was mined from the nearby quarries. The lime was shipped to cities along the eastern seaboard for use in construction and agriculture. The lime industry continued to be a major economic force in the area until the early 1900s.

Fishing has always been a central part of the economy of Port Clyde Harbor. In the early days, fishermen would fish for cod and haddock off the coast of Maine and bring their catch back to Port Clyde to be processed and sold. Today, lobster is the primary catch for local fishermen, and the harbor is home to a thriving lobster fishing industry.

Port Clyde Harbor has also played a role in Maine's transportation history. In the early 1900s, steamboats carried passengers and freight to and from the nearby islands and towns along the coast. The steamboats were eventually replaced by ferries, which continue to operate today.

Today, Port Clyde Harbor is a popular destination for tourists who come to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Maine coast and the village's historic charm. Visitors can take a ferry to nearby Monhegan Island, explore the local galleries and shops, or simply relax and enjoy the views of the harbor and the surrounding countryside.

Here are some additional details about Port Clyde Harbor's history:

  • In the mid-1800s, Port Clyde Harbor was home to several shipyards that built wooden ships, including schooners and brigs. These ships were used for fishing and transportation, and some were even used in the Civil War.
  • The lime industry in Port Clyde was so important that the town was known as "Lime City" for a time. The lime was shipped out on large vessels known as lime schooners, which could carry up to 1,000 barrels of lime.
  • In the early 1900s, the Knox and Lincoln Railroad built a line to Port Clyde, which connected the town to other parts of Maine and beyond. The railroad was used to transport passengers and freight, including lobster, which was becoming an increasingly important part of the local economy.
  • Port Clyde Harbor was also home to several granite quarries, which provided stone for buildings and monuments around the country. The quarries were operated by a group of Scottish immigrants, who brought their expertise in quarrying and stonecutting to Maine.
  • In the 1920s and 1930s, Port Clyde Harbor became a popular summer destination for artists, writers, and other creative types. Many of them were drawn to the area's rugged beauty and simple way of life. Some notable visitors included painter Andrew Wyeth and writer Edna St. Vincent Millay.
  • Today, Port Clyde Harbor is still an active fishing village, with a fleet of lobster boats that head out to sea each day. The village has a small grocery store, a post office, and a handful of restaurants and shops. Visitors can also take a short hike to the Marshall Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the movie "Forrest Gump."