Avery Rock

Type:
Year Established:
1875
Existing:
No
Avery Rock Lighthouse and fog bell tower
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
1892
Photo Credit:
National Archives photo 26-LG-1-10

LOCATION

Location:
Island In Machias Bay
Latitude:
44° 39.16'
Longitude:
67° 20.41'
U.S. State:
Maine
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. Avery Rock
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Disposition:
Demolished in 1947, replaced by light on steel skeleton tower.
Year Tower Established:
1875
Tower Construction Material:
MASONRY
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
54
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1875
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
Wood
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1875
Keeper's Quarters Style:
Integral
Other Structures:
BOATHOUSE

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Original Optic Type:
FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1874: President Ulysses S. Grant authorized the establishment of Avery Rock Light on a barren rock at the south end of Machias Bay. Three miles from the mainland.
  • The house was so exposed to the elements that it had 18 inch walls and four inch thick shutters.
  • 1902: The light was upgraded with the installation of a Fifth Order Frensel Lens showing a fixed red light.
  • 1946: The Light was demolished by a storm. A buoy floating in 50' of water 100 yards from the site of the lighthouse replaced the light.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jan 15, 2018