On the rugged, but majestic, Maine coastline, lies the coastal town of Cutler, which has the last protected harbor before Canada. Little River Island lies at the entrance of that harbor, not far from shore, and is one of the most picturesque, unspoiled waterfronts in the state. It was on this little island that overlooks the Bay of Fundy that Little River Light was erected in 1847.

A stone keeper’s dwelling was also built and attached to the stone tower. A Fifth Order Fresnel Lens replaced the original oil lamps and reflectors in 1855. In 1876, the lighthouse was rebuilt and the 41-ft. cast-iron tower, lined with brick, still stands today. The keeper’s dwelling was replaced with a new Victorian wood frame house in 1888, and it, too, has weathered the harsh Maine climate for more than 100 years.

While many island lighthouses were lonely, desolate and inaccessible, the proximity of Little River to the mainland and its picture-book setting made the sentinel a sought-after position for keeper families. Its beautiful view of Canada’s Grand Manan Island and the beacons of three Canadian lighthouses added to its appeal.

But time and modernization took its toll and the Coast Guard deactivated Little River Light in 1975 and built a skeletal tower with an automated light to replace it. The property was allowed to deteriorate over the years, although concerned residents in the area tried to maintain it with paint and repairs. In 1980, the Fresnel Lens was removed, and in 1998, a local Maine preservation organization added Little River Light to its list of endangered historic properties -- a decade after, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

After more than 20 years of neglect, Little River Light was leased in early 2000 to the American Lighthouse Foundation. It was the first lighthouse in New England to be transferred under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

On Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001 a new chapter in the history of Little River Light was written. On that day, the US Coast Guard and the American Lighthouse Foundation held an official relighting ceremony! Just two years after being named one of the ten most endangered properties in the state, the sentinel had been refurbished by ALF volunteers, with a new revolving beacon in the tower and restored as an active aid to navigation.

"This is a wonderful example of joint partnership in saving Maine’s maritime heritage between the US Coast Guard and American Lighthouse Foundation," said Tim Harrison, president of the non-profit lighthouse preservation group.