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Written by Jeremy D'Entremont
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Owls Head, ME
Built 1825
30 feet tower, light is 100 feet above water.
One of the most beautiful lighthouses in Maine from land or water, Owls Head
Light is a must-visit for the lighthouse fan.And it's haunted!
Jeremy’s Lighthouse Guide #46
The growing lime trade on Maine’s midcoast led to the building of a lighthouse
on Owls Head at the entrance to Rockland Harbor. President John Quincy Adams authorized
the building of the lighthouse in 1825. It’s an unusually short brick tower. A
tall lighthouse was not necessary because of the height of the promontory.
Augustus B. Hamor came to Owls Head as keeper in 1930. Keeper Hamor had a springer
spaniel named Spot who gained wide fame among local mariners. Spot learned to
pull the rope that rang the fog bell with his teeth, a ritual he repeated for
every approaching vessel. The boats would answer with a whistle or bell, and Spot
would bark excitedly.
 According to an often-told legend, Spot's unusual abilities turned out to be
good for more than entertainment. One stormy night the Matinicus mail boat almost
ran aground at Owls Head. It was Spot's loud barking that warned the captain just
in time and enabled him to steer clear of the rocks. The much beloved Spot is
said to be buried on the side of the hill near the former location of the fog
bell.
The keeper’s house is reportedly haunted. One Coast Guard keeper’s wife reports
that during the entire time her family lived at the station, her young daughter
had an "old sea captain" as an imaginary friend. One night the three-year-old
girl woke her parents and announced, "Fog’s rolling in! Time to put the foghorn
on!" The parents had never discussed such things with the girl and had no idea
where she could have picked up such an idea.
The 1854 keeper's house remains a residence for Coast Guard personnel while the
surrounding grounds are now a state park. The bell tower is gone but an 1895 oil
house remains. The ramp and stairway leading to the tower are unique among New
England lighthouses.
For much more HISTORY of Owls Head visit Lighthouse.cc
Copyright 2005 by Jeremy D'Entremont,New England Lighthouses
Photos are the property of the author and may not be used without permission.
Photos above from Jeremy D'Entremont.
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