Built on the southwestern point of Mount Desert Island, with an appropriation of $5,000 from the United States Congress, Bass Head Harbor Light answered the call of the US Lighthouse Board to help mariners navigate “a very good harbor.” 

Lit in 1858, Bass Harbor Head Light, a 32’ tower with a focal point of 56’ assisted mariners in navigating Bass Harbor and marked the entrance to Blue Hill Bay.

The brick Lighthouse is attached to a wood-framed Keeper’s dwelling. In 1876, a fog bell and tower were added and in 1901 a brick oil house was built.  The original fog bell and tower were removed and in 1898, a new fog bell with striking machinery housed in a new fog signal building was constructed.

Launching a boat proved to be a difficult task for Keepers and visitors. In 1894 a boat slip, boathouse were built and in 1895, a boat winch was added. To complete the site a barn was constructed in 1905.

The original optic was a Fifth Order Fresnel Lens that was later replaced by a more powerful Fourth Order Lens in 1902. The lens characteristic is oscillating red 4 seconds (three seconds red, then one second darkness) that remains in operation today.