Guiding the Coast: The Story of Portland Head Light
Standing on the rocky, wind-swept shores of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Portland Head Light is one of the most famous lighthouses in the United States. Its tall white tower and red-roofed keeper's house look out over the stormy Atlantic Ocean, marking the primary entrance to Portland Harbor. For more than two centuries, this historic landmark has served as a beacon of safety for fishermen, merchant ships, and recreational boats navigating Maine's dangerous, rocky coastline.
The story of Portland Head Light began in 1787, before George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States. The General Court of Massachusetts provided funds to start building a beacon to protect ships from coastal shipwrecks. Construction moved slowly because heavy stone materials had to be hauled by oxen across rugged terrain. When the federal government assumed responsibility for lighthouses in 1789, President Washington urged workers to finish the project. On January 10, 1791, the lighthouse shone its lamp for the very first time, powered by sixteen whale oil lamps.
- beacon:
- A light or signal set up in a high or prominent place to warn or guide ships.
- terrain:
- The physical features of a stretch of land, such as rocky or hilly ground.
- specialized:
- Designed or made for a specific task or purpose.
- prisms:
- Pieces of transparent glass with precise angles that refract or bend light.
- automated:
- Controlled or operated by automatic machines or computers rather than human workers.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where is Portland Head Light located, and what body of water does it look out over?
- 2Why did construction on the lighthouse move slowly when it began in 1787?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“Guiding the Coast: The Story of Portland Head Light” is a explanatory article reading passage about Portland Head Light History and Operations, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (429 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.