The town of Lubec is located in far eastern Maine, standing across the international border from Canada's Campobello Island. The Lubec Narrows passes between the two, which are joined by the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge. South of the bridge lies a shallow bay, which opens into the Gulf of Maine after passing West Quoddy Head Light. In the 1880s a channel was dredged through the shallows to facilitate seagoing commerce from the port communities of Lubec, Eastport and Calais. An 1883 report recommended installation of a light on the channel to aid navigation, funding was authorized in 1888, and the light went into operation in 1890. It was automated in 1939.[6]
The light is set to on the west side of the channel, and is mounted on a concrete foundation set in the muddy channel bottom. Its lower stage is a cast-iron round base, which flares out to support a wide deck. Originally sheltered by a shed roof, this deck is now exposed. The tower's second stage rises above, with a railing around its top, and a narrow third stage which supports the lantern house, also surrounded by a deck and railing. The lantern house is crowned by a spherical ventilator.[6] The lantern stands 53 feet (16 m) above Mean High Water.
