Cape Elizabeth, Maine, U.S.A. – At what time of day would you get up to have a spectacular view from your favorite lighthouse?
Tim and Lisa Anderson from Naples, Maine, have a simple answer to that question: 2 a.m. That’s the time they woke up this year to ensure they were among the first in line for Maine Open Lighthouse Day at the iconic Portland Head Light.
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For lighthouse enthusiasts, especially those hoping to tour Maine’s most famous lighthouse, getting up before dawn is part of the experience.
With only 300 tickets available to see inside Portland Head Light and over 300 eager visitors vying for a slot, early risers on a mid-September Saturday were rewarded with a rare opportunity to step inside the historic structures.
Portland Head Light, situated at Cape Elizabeth in Maine, is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States and the oldest in the state.
Commissioned in 1787 to protect ships from the rocky shore, it played a role during the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Its architectural beauty and coastal position have made it an enduring symbol of Maine’s maritime history.
The lighthouse stands 80 feet tall, its stone exterior a striking white, capped with a distinctive red roof.
From the top, visitors are treated to a spectacular view of the rocky coastline and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.
The lighthouse itself, with its historic significance and breathtaking location, offers an unforgettable glimpse of Maine’s natural beauty.
“The view is simply magnificent and the lighthouse is very special,” said Tim Anderson, who has so far visited the lighthouse three times in a row on Maine Open Lighthouse Day. “Also, you get to meet amazing new people in the queue.”
Tim and his wife arrived at 5:30 in the morning, and within half an hour, about 10 other people had joined them in line, Anderson said. The lighthouse opens at 9 a.m. – and only once a year.
To survive the long wait, some people even brought camping chairs.
The Andersons didn’t plan on visiting another lighthouse that day. But in contrast to many disappointed visitors – who didn’t get one of the limited number of tickets – they got to climb the 81 narrow steps to the top of the historic landmark – first.
Lina Marie Schulenkorf is a Senior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
