Franklin Island Light

This lighthouse was built on the northwest side of Franklin Island in 1807 to mark the entrance to Muscongus Bay, guiding vessels through the busy coastal waters of midcoast Maine. As one of the region’s early navigational aids, it played an important role in helping fishing boats and trading ships safely reach nearby harbors. Over the years, the light was rebuilt and maintained to withstand harsh marine conditions while continuing its mission of coastal safety.

The light was automated in 1967, ending the need for an on-site keeper, and the keeper’s house and other supporting outbuildings were later demolished. Today, a white conical brick light tower remains. Although Franklin Island itself is not open to the public, the lighthouse can be viewed from the water on sightseeing cruises or glimpsed faintly from the Rachael Carson Salt Pond Preserve along Route 32 near Bristol, offering a distant but evocative reminder of Maine’s maritime history.