Maine's Mark Island Light, officially known as the Deer Island Thorofare Lighthouse has a new owner under the Maine Lights Program.
The Island Heritage Trust, a non profit organization was recently notified by the Maine Lights Selection Program that it has been chosen to receive the island and the lighthouse.
The lighthouse will remain fully operational and nothing will really change. The Island Heritage Trust will have to maintain the tower, but will do nothing else. They plan to keep the island undeveloped, and undisturbed, just as it is. The island has an eagle nesting area and a heron roosting area.
The island is certainly not a tourist destination. It has no buildings, other than the lighthouse, no picnic facilities, no landings etc.
A wonderful booklet has been written about Mark Island Lighthouse by Marnie Reed Crowell. The booklet is packed full of historical information and old photos. For a copy send $18.00 plus $3.00 shipping to Deer Isle Granite Co., P.O. Box 34, Deer Isle, Maine 04627. Portions of the proceeds from the sale of the book go toward the maintenance of the lighthouse.
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