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Sitting on the end of a jetty not far from Portland Head Light
in Portland's Harbor sits Bug Light, a small cast iron
lighthouse tower that marks the entrance into a inner harbor
area for mariners looking to sell their day's catch on the
docks. In 1831, a terrible storm savaged Portland's
Harbor. To prevent further damage caused by the sea, A
1800 ft breakwater jetty was installed, and a Breakwater
Lighthouse, called "Bug" light for its size, was placed at
the end of it. |
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The current tower was installed in 1875, and has a 6th Order
Frensel Lens. The cast iron design has 6 fluted columns
around its perimeter.
It has been suggested that Thomas Ustick Walter, who
designed and erected the cast-iron dome on the nation's
Capitol building, may have had something to do with
designing the lighthouse.
In 1889 a wooden keeper's dwelling with two rooms was
finally built adjacent to the lighthouse.
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In the early 1940s shipyards expanded into the harbor,
shortening the breakwater until the lighthouse stood only
100 feet from the shore. The light was sold into private
ownership in the mid 1950's, and it was donated to the city
of Portland in 1985, and is now part of "Bug Light Park" |
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