Lighthouse at West Southport, Maine A 263

Lighthouse at West Southport, Maine A 263

Lighthouse at West Southport, Maine 1948 Lighthouse, West Southport, Me. Hendricks Head Lighthouse shines from Southport Island at the mouth of the Sheepscot River. The original granite structure, built in 1829, was a combined tower and dwelling, with the tower above the house roof. The present brick tower and separate two-story dwelling were constructed in 1876. Keeper Jaruel Marr, who had been appointed to his post in 1866 as compensation for his Civil War wounds, and his family settled into the new buildings, and remained until 1895. Three of the Marrs' sons became lighthouse keepers. Wolcott succeeded his father at Hendricks Head. The Marrs logged their daily routines as well as the challenges and dangers. "Trimmed the wicks at half past twelve, at half past four the light was so dim I raised the wick a sixteenth of an inch to make all right again," wrote the elder Marr. Wolcott recorded a fierce winter storm and rescue in 1914 when a lumber schooner ran around; the keeper saved the crew of 15 men who clung to the masts. The light was automated in 1933 and the fog bell taken out of service. In 1951, when electricity came to the island, the Coast Guard reactivated the light. The light is now privately owned.