A recent article in one of our local newspapers here in Maine, (The York Weekly) about Cape Neddick Nubble Light got me to thinking about the old fog signal bell tower. The tower, built in 1911, was torn down and burned by the Coast Guard in 1961. The reason for this action was never clear, apparently not even to the Coast Guard. They planned to sell the old historic fog bell for scrap until local residents found out.

Quite frankly, I'd like to see a replica of the fog signal tower at Nubble Light re-built. I'm sure the town of York wouldn't spend the money, but I'm sure a fund raising drive to build a replica would generate enough money.

The old bell towers are now nearly extinct with only a few still standing at scattered locations around the country. An exact replica at one of America's most visited lighthouses would be a great addition to our maritime heritage.

So this is it, the official fund raising drive....

Donations will be accepted for any amount and all donations will be recorded in a book that will be available for display at the Welcome Center at Nubble Light. However, to make it more interesting we will send you a Lighthouse Coffee mug for every donation of $50.00 or more.

Please send donations to: Nubble Light Bell Tower Fund, c/o Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 1690, Wells, Maine 04090.

This story appeared in the September 1997 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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