Greater Portland & Casco Bay1633 is the year that the first permanent British settlement was established on the southern coast of Maine in what would come to be called Portland. By then the Casco Bay area was already trending for its fishing and trading. Zip forward a few centuries and the trending continues – fishing and trading (in updated forms), with a lot more diversity - commercial and cultural. Light HousesPortland Head Light (picture above) The Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth is the oldest lighthouse in Maine and is adjacent to 90-acre Fort Williams Park and its great ocean views and recreation. Fort Williams Park has nice walking trails, gardens and a children's garden area. The former keepers' house is now home to The Museum at Portland Head Light. (picture above) Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse Just two miles north of Portland Head is Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse standing atop a 900-foot granite breakwater, with a view of the entire Portland skyline across the waves. (picture above) Cape Elizabeth Light At Cape Elizabeth Light, also known as "Two Lights," the eastern tower is still active and the western tower, while not publically accessible, still stands tall and proud. (picture below center) Portland Breakwater Lighthouse (Bug Light) And then there’s the cute one, Portland Breakwater Lighthouse. It’s known, affectionately, as Bug Light because it’s short and as cute as a – well, you know. Diminutive though it may be, Bug’s Light played a huge role in protecting Portland Harbor beginning with its construction in 1875. (picture below right) |