From collection D.J. Lindsay Collection
Wiscasset street scene
This lighthouse replica was actually a water tower built in the late 19th century by the owners of the adjacent Hilton House Hotel. Their homage to the iconic maritime beacon was a prominent local landmark for some decades. On October 8th, 1903, the hotel burned and was never rebuilt. The lighthouse survived the fire and was left standing until another local family living nearby purchased the land and dismantled the lighthouse. In its place, they built the Sunken Garden, an outdoor space for private entertaining and recreation, which they eventually donated to the town of Wiscasset. As of 2014, the garden is still in use. (information provided by Tim Harrison of Lighthouse Digest magazine, 2014)
