You’re standing on the deck of a schooner, the salty mist of Penobscot Bay hitting your face, and there it is—a small, white-washed tower perched on a green tuft of land. It’s the Curtis Island Lighthouse, and if you’ve spent any time in Camden, Maine, you’ve seen it on every postcard in town. But here’s the thing: most people just snap a photo and move on. They don’t realize this little 25-foot tower has a history that’s kinda messy, a name that was changed to please a millionaire, and a "green light" mystery that confuses half the tourists who see it at night.
Honestly, it’s one of the most photographed spots in Midcoast Maine, yet it remains surprisingly elusive. You can’t drive to it. You can’t go inside the tower. If you want to actually set foot on the island, you’d better have a kayak and a good sense of the tides.
The Name Change Nobody Talks About
Before it was Curtis Island Lighthouse Camden Maine, everyone knew it as Negro Island. The name came from a story back in 1769. Apparently, an African-American cook on a vessel carrying the settler James Richards pointed at the island and basically claimed it as his own. The name stuck for over 150 years.
Then came 1934.
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Cyrus H.K. Curtis, the powerhouse publisher of The Saturday Evening Post, had just died. He was a massive benefactor for Camden—he basically paid for the yacht club and the library’s gorgeous parks. To honor him, the town ditched the old name and rebranded the whole place as Curtis Island. It was a move that satisfied the high-society summer residents, but it also buried a piece of the harbor's raw, early history.
Why the Light is Green (And Why It Matters)
If you’re looking out from the Camden hills at night, you won’t see a flashing white light. You’ll see a fixed green light. Or, more accurately, an "occulting" green light that disappears for a second every four seconds.
Most lighthouses in Maine use white or red. Green is rarer. In Camden Harbor, that green glow is a specific signal. It tells mariners they’re looking at the entrance to one of the busiest, tightest harbors in the state. If you see white, you might be looking at a house on the shore or a different beacon. If you see that emerald flash, you know you’re home.
The current tower was built in 1896, replacing a crumbling rubblestone version from the 1830s. It’s short—only 25 feet. But because it sits on a high point of the island, its focal plane is actually 52 feet above the water. It’s small but mighty, throwing that green beam six nautical miles out into the bay.
The Secret Overlook on Bay View Street
Getting to the island is a hassle. You need a boat. Period. But you’ve got a secret weapon if you’re on foot: the Curtis Island Overlook.
Most tourists miss this because they’re too busy eating lobster rolls downtown. If you drive down Bay View Street, past the fancy estates, there’s a tiny, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sign. There are maybe two parking spots. A short gravel path leads between two private hedges—it feels like you’re trespassing, but you aren’t—and opens up to a wooden bench overlooking the water.
From here, the lighthouse is perfectly framed. It’s the best spot for a photo if you aren’t on a boat. Just be cool; it’s a quiet residential neighborhood. Don’t be the person blocking someone’s driveway.
Life on a Five-Acre Rock
Imagine living there in 1836. The first keeper, Henry K.M. Bowers, didn’t just light a lamp; he ran a full-blown farm on five acres of rock and spruce. We’re talking cows, ducks, and chickens.
He had to row a boat into Camden every time he needed supplies or mail. One later keeper, Obadiah Brown, actually died from an injury he got while building a stone wall on the island. It wasn't a vacation; it was grueling manual labor.
The Caretakers of Today
The Coast Guard automated the light in 1972, but the town of Camden didn't want the buildings to rot. They took over the island and turned it into a public park. Since the 1980s, the town has used seasonal caretakers to look after the place.
For 42 years, the Conover family lived out there in the summers. They were the unofficial face of the island, welcoming the occasional kayaker who managed to land on the slippery rocks.
Recent Drama: The 2022 Storms
Lately, the lighthouse has been through the wringer. A massive storm in December 2022 did some real damage—ripped up the roof of the keeper’s house and messed with the interior plaster.
Because the island has no bridge or ferry, getting construction materials over there is a logistical nightmare. You can’t just drive a van to the front door. Everything has to be barged in. The Curtis Island Lighthouse Foundation is currently raising a ton of money to fix the dry rot and structural issues. If you visit in the next year or two, don't be surprised if you see scaffolding or work crews hauling lumber off a landing craft.
How to Actually See It
Don't just stare at it from the public landing. You’ll be disappointed.
- The Schooner Route: Take a sunset sail on the Appledore or the Surprise. They pass right by the island. You’ll get that classic "sea level" view that makes the tower look grand.
- The Kayak Challenge: If you’re experienced, you can rent a kayak at the harbor. Be careful of the wind and the schooner traffic. The landing is on the northwest side of the island (the side facing the town), where there’s a small pier.
- Mount Battie: If you hike or drive up Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park, look down. The island looks like a tiny green teardrop in the blue water.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're planning to check out Curtis Island Lighthouse Camden Maine, here is what you actually need to do:
- Timing is everything: The best photos happen at "Golden Hour." If you’re at the Bay View Street overlook, the setting sun hits the white tower and makes it glow.
- Check the tide: If you’re kayaking to the island, go at mid-to-high tide. At low tide, the rocks near the pier are covered in rockweed—it’s like walking on greased bananas.
- Visit the Town Office: The original Fourth-Order Fresnel lens isn't in the tower anymore. It’s actually on display at the Camden Town Office. It’s a stunning piece of glasswork and worth the five-minute walk from the harbor.
- Support the restoration: Since the town owns the buildings, they rely on donations. Check out the foundation if you want to make sure the "Jewel of the Penobscot" stays standing for another century.
The lighthouse is an active aid to navigation. The Coast Guard still takes care of the solar-powered light itself, even if the town owns the dirt it sits on. It's a weird, beautiful partnership that keeps one of Maine’s most iconic views alive.
Next time you see that green flash at night, you'll know exactly what you're looking at. It’s not just a pretty building; it’s 190 years of survival on a jagged piece of Maine granite.