No Bids on Lubec Channel Lighthouse
By Sue Clark on Jul 29, 2007 in Lighthouses For Sale 
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Lubec Channel Lighthouse, near the northeasternmost point of the United States in Maine, went on the auction block on July 20, with no bids so far. Opening bid is $10,000 dollars, and unlike Fourteen Foot Bank Lighthouse, where the current offer stands at $35,000, there appears to be no one bidding after nine days of the auction.
Lubec Channel was built in 1890, and is one of three surviving spark plug style lights in Maine. It has undergone extensive renovation recently by the Coast Guard, who shelled out $700,000 in 1992 to stabilize the foundation, which had developed a tilt over the years. New plates were installed on the caisson and 200 cubic yards of concrete was pumped in. Twelve piles were then driven through the caisson into the bedrock. One of the piles was driven 149 feet. The lighthouse still has a six-degree list but is considered stable, according to Jeremy D’Entremont’s site. In 2001, a fresh coat of paint was added by the Coast Guard crew out of Southwest Harbor, including the words “Connie Small was here,” a tribute to Constance Scovill Small, wife of Elson Small and author of the acclaimed book, The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife
One tragedy occurred at the light, shortly before it was automated in 1939. One of the assistant keepers, Nathaniel Alley, was overcome by fumes from a coal stove. The captain of a ferry, who was used to hailing him, grew concerned when he didn’t appear. He was discovered close to death and was taken to Lubec, where he died.
Property information fact sheet (PDF File: Adobe Reader needed to view; will open in new window).
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