•The Portland Head Light Maine's first Lighthouse

•President George Washington appointed the first keeper.

•The current keeper's house was built in 1891.

• The Christmas Eve shipwreck of the Nova Scotia bark "Annie C. Maguire" from Buenos Aires, Venezuela occurred in 1886. All 21 crew and passengers walked off unto shore. They were exhausted and half-starved surviving only on salt beef, macaroni, and lime juice to prevent scurvy. The keeper's family had prepared a Christmas dinner consisting of chicken pies, steamed vegetables and pastry. This was a joyous occasion for the ravenous refugees but not quite for the involuntary Good Samaritans. However, they never faltered in their hospitality. The uninvited guests left for Portland after three days having nearly eaten the kind keeper out of his home. As much as possible was salvaged from the "Maguire" before a storm on New Year's day 1887 destroyed the ship.

Built in 1791. Maine's first lighthouse
Town: Cape Elizabeth
Height of tower: 80 ft.
Construction; Rubble stone and brick lining
Lens: Originally a 4th Fresnel lens, today a modern optic
Range: 24 nautical miles