Description:

The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is one of three lighthouses in Rockland Harbor.  It consists of a long granite walkway approximately 7/8ths of a mile long with a lighthouse and tower at the end and is about seven stories tall from the ocean’s floor.  The breakwater took an act of Congress to be built, took over 20 years to be completed and cost about $750,000.  The breakwater itself was built with over 700,000 tons of granite and was built with just plain muscle and brawn.  There were no lasers, scuba gear or hydraulics available like we enjoy today The light station itself was moved four times until it reached its final location nearly a mile into Rockland Harbor. The tower rises about 25 feet from the base and can be seen for about 17 miles. The Breakwater and the light keeper’s house and tower are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Breakwater itself can be walked from dawn to dusk all year round and attracts over 12,000 visitors annually.  The walk itself is very uneven and requires proper footwear and a constant eye to where you are walking to avoid gaps and dips in the granite blocks.  Every year people get hurt walking the Breakwater because they were careless and did not respect either the Breakwater itself or the power of the wind or tides. In the summer months from June through Columbus Day, the Light Keepers house and tower are open to the public (weather permitting) on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and for special events.

The Friends of Breakwater Lights hold a Midcoast Lighthouse Challenge event every June when the Breakwater and six other area lighthouses are open to the public to climb the towers.