Nubble Lighthouse - York, Maine

Near the entrance to the York River

No one knows coastal Maine real estate like we do.  We make it easy for you to fulfill your dream of owning property on or near the coast of Maine.

We're your coastal Maine real estate advisors.   We'll help you locate just the right property and guide you safely—and wisely—through the negotiation and acquisition of your real estate purchase. Put our years of coastwise knowledge and experience representing Maine's home buyers to work for you.  Call us tooday to discuss your search at:  800-293-4416.

Nubble Light House in York, Maine

Cape Neddick Lighthouse, also known as the Nubble Lighthouse, is located in York Beach, ME. The requests for a light station on the "Nubble" began in 1807. Approval for the light station was made by Congress in 1874, after numerous boating accidents.

1879 Cape Neddick light was built and started operating in July of 1879. The tower stands 41 feet tall (39' to the center of the lantern) and is 88 feet above the ocean. The red beacon of the Nubble flashes at 6 second intervals and can be seen from 13 nautical miles away. The tower is made of cast iron which is lined with brick. Surrounding the tower is a railing that is supported by 12 posts, each being topped with a small cast iron lighthouse. There are conflicting stories over the original color of the tower, some say red some say brown. It was repainted its current color of white in 1902.

In 1911 the walkway that connects the home to the tower was constructed so that during bad weather the keeper could access the tower without going outside. A bell tower was constructed in 1911 and was later replaced by a fog horn in 1961. The horn is activated by the weather and will sound during rainy and foggy periods.

In 1950 the Coast Guard repainted the red house (where a generator is housed) to white. Many people complained and it was repainted its original red color again.

In 1977, NASA sent artifacts into space on board the Voyager II. Among the artifacts that were to teach the extraterrestrial about us was a picture of the Nubble Light.

On July 13, 1987 the lighthouse became automated and the last Lighthouse Keeper of the Nubble, Russell Ahlgrea, moved out. The house is no longer occupied. The town of York obtained ownership of the lighthouse on December 15, 1997. Although the town maintains the property and owns the island, the beacon itself is still maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

In 1989 the Historical Preservation Commission restored the building and replaced the two smaller windows at the top of the building with one large one, which was how the house was originally built.