Halfway Rock Light

Rising from the Atlantic on a lonely ledge, Halfway Rock Light is a striking conical granite tower that has guided mariners for more than 150 years. Technically located in Harpswell, the lighthouse stands atop a notoriously treacherous rock formation long feared by sailors navigating the busy shipping lanes into Casco Bay. Before the light was established, the jagged outcrop was responsible for numerous shipwrecks, especially during heavy fog and winter storms.

Completed in 1871, the sturdy stone tower was engineered to withstand relentless wind, waves and ice. Though automated today, it remains an enduring symbol of Maine’s maritime heritage. On clear days, the light station can be spotted from the historic Portland Observatory on Congress Street, offering a distant but evocative glimpse offshore. Closer views are possible from the end of Route 24 on Bailey Island, where a small parking area provides an easy vantage point. Several sightseeing cruises in Casco Bay also pass near the lighthouse.