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PAGE 22A | BEACH NEWS | JULY 14, 2005 | VOL 32, NO 9 BEACHNEWSNH.COM . VISITOR’S ABC’S ‘L’ is for Lighthouses on the Seacoast Each year, the Beach around the clock by keepers lighthouse may be long past, will find the Plum Island News is proud to feature an who stood a lonely vigil, but they still keep their lone- Light at the northern end of unique ongoing series of most of these have been ly automated vigil along the this picturesque and sandy articles concerning interest- automated, and in many Seacoast, and provide a island on the grounds of the ing facts about the region’s ways made redundant by point of interest and delight Parker River Reservation’s places and history. This modern innovations such as for those seeking a taste of headquarters. While not a year, we will be doing a vir- global positioning satellites the history of the sea. From terribly tall lighthouse, it is tual visitors’ ABCs of the and radio. But before those Plum Island Massachusetts more than adequate to Seacoast region. innovations, the lighthouse to York Maine, we have list- guide ships into the Merri- BY JOHN HIRTLE and its ever-present keeper ed the handful of lighthous- mack River as its light peeps BEACH NEWS STAFF stood watch, sending out a es which still mark the ways over the dunes and build- Standing along the edge beam of light to warn ships into safe harbors and warn ings surrounding it. This of the seashore off harbors at night to check their of dangerous rocks. lighthouse was erected in and marking dangerous course, and sounding their 1898, replacing a wooden NUBBLE LIGHT — The most picturesque and easily seen of islands are silent, solitary foghorn on brooding, mist PLUM ISLAND LIGHT octagonal lighthouse which the local lighthouses around the Seacoast region is the sentries of the sea- the light- filled days. Starting at Plum Island, had occupied the site since Nubble Lighthouse in York Maine. houses. Once manned The golden age of the just off Newburyport you 1789. — Beach News File Photo by Hirtle You may view the light- Light, and the panoramic THE NEWBURYPORT house from a chartered tour views of Portsmouth Harbor RANGE LIGHTS boat from Rye Harbor or on a clear day, you will Hampton Harbor on a cruise undoubtedly spy Whale- Driving into Newbury- of the Isles of Shoals, or you back Light, a tall grey pillar port, odds are you will miss can visit the lighthouse with rising from the sea on a low one of the two range lights Atlantic Aqua-Sport, which island which resembles the along Water Street. If you takes the more adventurous back of a surfacing whale visit the Maritime Museum out to the isolated island to (hence the name). The origi- in the old Custom House, try their hand at scuba div- nal lighthouse there was the lights are a short walk ing. swept away in the early up the street towards the 1800’s, prompting its recon- Newburyport Art Associa- ‘L’ IS ALSO FOR… struction in solid granite tion’s gallery. There at 61- which has stood solid ever La Bec Rouge, a 1/2 Water Street in an alley since thanks to its unique restaurant that ‘rules rises the taller of the two mortice and tendon con- lights, an impressive brick the roost’ at Hampton struction. The grey struc- structure which looks all the Beach all year long. ture on the nearby island is world like a chimney LaChiquita, a great not the lighthouse keeper’s topped with glass windows. place for authentic residence, but was the Wood A walk down the alley Mexican dining. Island Lifeboat Station, a between the buildings will Le Kofe’, a place for predecessor of the United bring you to the second and great gifts or coffee. States Coast Guard service. shorter of the pair of range Linda’s Breakfast Built in 1908, and decom- lights which once guided Place, a great spot to missioned in 1941 as World vessels into Newburyport to start off your morning. War Two was spreading, the right on the Coast Guard efforts are underway to reservation. restore the aging building as In an era before radios PORTSMOUTH HARBOR a Maritime History Muse- and global positioning, um. these lights were used not to LIGHT guide ships away from In Newcastle you will NUBBLE LIGHT rocks, but into the river after find not one but two light- Off the tip of Cape Ned- dark- so long as the pair houses off its coast. The first dick, perched precariously lined up, the ship’s master is Portsmouth Light or alter- on a small rocky island is knew he was on course. natively Fort Point Light, Nubble Light, a unique sight One should note that these since is sits next to Fort Con- for local and traveller alike. are the last intact pair of stitution, the oldest fortifica- Separated by only a few range lights in the United tion in the state. The hundred yards of pounding States, and efforts are being original light was little more surf, it offers a close-up view made to preserve them. than a lantern run up the to visitors parked on the flagpole at night by the local WHITE ISLAND LIGHT mainland to the microcosm British garrison. Governor of an island occupied by a Heading up the coast Wentworth erected an octag- lighthouse. The keeper’s into New Hampshire, you onal wooden lighthouse cottage is there, along with won’t see any lighthouses prior to the American Revo- outbuildings and a prim until you reach Rye on lution to replace tthe lantern picket fence, providing a Scenic Route 1A. There, as on a flagpole. That eventu- beautiful sight to behold. evening falls and you look ally gave way in 1877 to the out to the Isles of Shoals you impressive iron lighthouse BOON ISLAND LIGHT may see a flashing beacon which stands just outside Eight miles off the coast which belongs to the White the unfinished granite walls of York is perhaps the most Island Light. Originally dating from the fort’s Civil nefarious island in New built in 1820, the light was War reconstruction. England- Boon Island. In the childhood home of the WHALEBACK LIGHT December, 1710 the Notting- Seacoast’s noted poet Celia ham Galley struck the rocky Thaxter, whose father took As you take in Fort Point the position of lightkeeper. LIGHTHOUSES Continued on 23A•.