SUMMARY: Dr. Bruce Woolett built the Rockland Harbor Southwest Lighthouse privately between 1981 and 1987. After completion and installation of a lens, the Coast Guard recognized the lighthouse as a private aid to navigation marking nearby Seal Ledge. In 1998, John Gazzola acquired the property from Dr. Woolett and began a comprehensive renovation of the lighthouse.
MORE INFORMATION: Rockland Harbor Southwest Light Station Facts & Figures
- Station Established: 1987
- First Lit: 1987
- Construction: Material - Wood | Shape - Square Tower on top of a small building
- Height: Tower - 18 Feet | Focal Plane - 44 Feet
- Range: 12 Nautical Miles (13.8 Miles)
- Optics: Fifth-Order Fresnel Lens (from the Doubling Point Range Lights)
- Characteristic: Flashing yellow every 2.5 seconds
- Current Ownership, Maintenance & Preservation: Privately Owned. The lighthouse is an active aid to navigation.
Visitor & Tour Information: The grounds and tower are not open to the public.
Directions: From downtown Rockland, travel south for 1.9 miles on Highway 73 to reach North Shore Drive. Turn left on North Shore Drive, then turn left on Shearmans Lane, a dirt road leading to the light. This is a private residence so please respect the privacy of the residents.
Lighthouse Trivia: Rockland Harbor Southwest Light was orginally built for $14,000 and is the only privately built lighthouse in New England to become an official aid to navigation.
