Where in Maine?
Recognize this lighthouse that has served as inspiration for artists and writers?
Photograph by Kevin Shields
With a single glance you can understand the romantic appeal of this place: a lovely Victorian house on a tiny windswept isle, lorded over by highlands, surrounded by the Atlantic. This beauty is what attracted a virtual parade of writers to this island on the Down East coast. If ever there has been a lighthouse that was home to more authors, poets, and playwrights than the one pictured — suffice to say, we can’t find it. The first scribe to land here was likely Bernice Richmond, who bought the island after the Coast Guard deactivated this light, used to protect a chilly harbor, in the 1930s. Next up in the 1950s was children’s book author Rene Prud’Hommeaux, author of Hidden Lights, The Port of Missing Men, and the Sunken Forest. She was followed by playwright Gerald Kean. And most recently it was owned by William C. Holden III, a retired banker who wrote several novels while living here. In Our Island Lighthouse, Bernice Richmond describes the allure: “It is hard for people living on the mainland to understand the contentment found on an island . . . I couldn’t put into words . . . how terribly important it was to sleep on the island with sea sounds encircling me. I couldn’t explain how I looked forward each morning to that first rush of salty air through my kitchen door . . . ” If you can identify this inspirational isle, send us a comment here, drop us a note at PO Box 679, Camden, ME 04843, or whip us an e-mail at editorial@downeast.com.
Comments may be edited for spelling. Profanity is discouraged. If you'd like your comment considered for inclusion in the magazine, please include your hometown and state.
Reader Comments:
I received my copy of the January 2008 issue of Down East magazine in yesterday's mail. My wife and I stay in Bar Harbor every summer. And every summer we take a day trip to Winter Harbor on the Bar Harbor/Winter Harbor ferry. The lighthouse in this issue looks o me like the Mark Island Light, sometimes referred to as the Winter Harbor Light, at the mouth of Winter Harbor. Am I right?
Lou Zawislak
210 Atherton Drive
Metairie, Louisiana 70005
Just picked up Jan issue. Mark Island, off the Schoodic.
We've camped with our family of three daughters several times on Mt Desert. And we usually take a day to travel around the Schoodic. I have an addiction to lighthouses. And over the years my wife and girls have always been very patient with me as I drag out my tripod... The Winter Harbor Light is in my big collection.
Now, I have a couple grandchildren, who I'm 'training' to love lighthouses...
Bill Thauer
POBox 113
Cape Cod
Cummaquid, MA 02637
The Schoodic is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Visiting my family every summer, and sometimes fall, in Winter Harbor gives me a peace and calm that only Maine can give. Even though I live in Florida, a piece of my heart definately belongs to Maine. The Winter Harbor Light is a symbol of love, family, and the absolute beauty of nature that only Maine can give. When I saw the picture my thoughts went to the smell of Balsom, salty sea air, the sound of rocks tumbling with the crash of waves at Blueberry Hill, and the most beautiful hikes with family you could imagine. Only 6 months til summer vaction!
We certainly recognize this "Where in Maine" (January issue) picture. It is Mark Island Light or Winter Harbor Light,as it is sometimes called at the mouth of Winter Harbor. The background mountain is Mount Cadillac (Bar Harbor). This area is one of the most beautiful areas in the Northeast - it is unbeatable for its calmness, beauty and unspoiled land. We have been vacationing in Winter Harbor for over 45 years and still find it as beautiful now as we did back then . We are always anxious to return. Our family of five sons, their wives and our 13 grandchildren look forward to their annual visits. My husband and I are both retired and return several times a year to our beloved Winter Harbor.
Bertha Jacobs
19 Knollwood Circle
Simsbury, CT
I recognize Cadillac Mountain rising up in the background, but unlike some other respondents, think that the photo may be of Egg Rock Light. But then I have never been on any sort of water vessel in that area of Frenchman's Bay to know for sure. I buy Down East at our local bookstore, and will look forward to the answer when I devour my next issue.
Kate Lanigan
Rand Hill Road
Morrisonville, NY
This lighthouse is Mark Island Light, located in Winter Harbor Maine! We enjoy going to Bar Harbor every summer, and wouldn't miss an opportunity to view this lighthouse! This is a beautiful photo, however, you should try an aerial view! While the snow is piling up outside, it was nice to open your magazine and have a flashback to great summer memories!
I just picked up and read the January 2008 edition. "Where in Maine" is always one of my favorite reads each month. This month's made my heart jump when I turned the page.
Every summer, my wife and I and our family of four daughters and assorted sons-in-law, take several trips from our summer house in Sorrento over to Winter Harbor and out to Schoodic Point, one of our most favorite spots. I've been doing this (since long before our family was even a family), for nearly fifty years. The Mark Island Light, on the road out from Winter Harbor to Schoodic has always captured my fancy and, to this day, always becomes the topic of conversation as we pass it by. It was wonderful to see it photographed so dramatically.
Do you know the ownership status of the island today?
Bob Worrell
Sorrento, Me &
Omaha, Ne