Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is a cast-iron “sparkplug” light station at the end of a granite breakwater on the Southern Maine Community College campus in South Portland. First lit on May 24, 1897, it marks a dangerous ledge along the main shipping channel into Portland Harbor. It is the only caisson-style lighthouse in the United States that visitors can reach on foot.
The walk out is part of the draw. The breakwater, added in 1951, is a long run of uneven granite blocks with Casco Bay on both sides, passing ferries, and views toward Fort Gorges and the islands. The tower rises from a round caisson foundation, one of only three remaining sparkplug lighthouses in Maine. Onshore, the brick ruins of Fort Preble add more history to explore.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The breakwater and grounds are open year-round. Tours of the tower interior run seasonally, so check the official schedule before you go. Reaching the tower involves climbing ladders, and visitors under 4’3″ are not allowed inside. The gift shop, which sells Maine-made goods, opens only during tours. Wear sturdy shoes, because the granite gets slick with spray and ice. Early mornings and weekdays outside summer are the quietest times to visit, and sunrise gives photographers the best light. Park in the campus lots off Fort Road. To round out a lighthouse loop, Bug Light Park is a short drive away, and Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth is about 15 minutes south.
