Maine’s Portland Head Light Named One of Most Beautiful in the Country

One of Maine's most recognizable symbols is proudly receiving some positive press.

Portland Head Light, Maine's most iconic and popular lighthouse, has been named as one of the most beautiful in the entire United States. This incredible distinction was given to the Cape Elizabeth lighthouse by the travel magazine TravelMag.

Portland Head Light is part of a list of 20 lighthouses from around the country to receive the "Most Beautiful" title. It's the only lighthouse from Maine to make this prestigious list.

Here is a little of what TravelMag had to say about Maine's favorite lighthouse.

...its beauty is said to have inspired the poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. First lit in 1791, the lighthouse’s white clapboard tower stands 80 feet tall, some 101 feet above sea level. The former Keeper’s Quarters have been converted into a museum open all-year-round and the tower itself can be climbed once a year on Maine Open Lighthouse Day.

It's not surprising to see Portland Head Light get this kind of recognition. It's easily one of the most recognizable structures in not just Maine, but New England. Plus, it's absolutely stunning, with pristine landscaping surrounding it.

Portland Head Light is supposedly one of the most photographed lighthouses in America. This makes sense, considering how popular Fort Williams Park, the home of Portland Head, truly is. And the number of Mainers and tourists who shoot it from the water has to be rather significant. Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the number of commercials and video productions featuring the famous light.

Portland Head Light is joined by some other incredible iconic lighthouses on this "best of" list, including Cape Hatteras Light in North Carolina and Montauk Point Lighthouse in New York. The entire list is impressive. There's certainly many on there I would love to go and visit if there's ever the opportunity.

As for Portland Head Light, you can find out more information about it and the museum, (which can be found in the original lighthouse keeper's home) on its website. Happy lighthouse hunting.