Two Lights State Park
Encyclopedia
Two Lights State Park is a State Park
located on Cape Elizabeth, Maine
. It is a popular point of destination for Maine residents and the many visitors who enjoy the state's rocky coast, named for two nearby lighthouses called the Cape Elizabeth Lights
. Opened in 1961, the park spans41 acres (165,921.3 m²) of rocky headlands and includes one of the Cape Elizabeth Lights (the Eastern light, still active), the remains of a World War II
-era seacoast battery bunker, and a fire control tower
. Standing high above the rocky coast and rolling surf, visitors have sweeping views of Casco Bay
and the open Atlantic.
's painting Lighthouse at Two Lights.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located on Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Cape Elizabeth is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The town is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area...
. It is a popular point of destination for Maine residents and the many visitors who enjoy the state's rocky coast, named for two nearby lighthouses called the Cape Elizabeth Lights
Cape Elizabeth Lights
Cape Elizabeth Light also known as Two Lights is a lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Only the eastern tower of the two that made up the light station until 1924 is active. The western tower is deactivated, but it is still standing and is privately owned...
. Opened in 1961, the park spans41 acres (165,921.3 m²) of rocky headlands and includes one of the Cape Elizabeth Lights (the Eastern light, still active), the remains of a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era seacoast battery bunker, and a fire control tower
Fire control tower
A fire control tower is a structure located near the U.S. coast that was used to detect and locate enemy vessels offshore, direct fire upon them from coastal batteries, or adjust the aim of guns by spotting shell splashes. These towers were part of the U.S...
. Standing high above the rocky coast and rolling surf, visitors have sweeping views of Casco Bay
Casco Bay
Casco Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Maine on the southern coast of Maine, New England, United States. Its easternmost approach is Cape Small and its westernmost approach is Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth...
and the open Atlantic.
History
The park's name originated in the twin lighthouses located nearby at the end of Two Lights Road. Built in 1828, these were the first twin lighthouses on the coast of Maine. Although not open to the public, the eastern light is an active, automated light station, visible 17 miles (27.4 km) at sea. The western light ceased operation in 1924 and is now a private home. One of these towers was the subject of Edward HopperEdward Hopper
Edward Hopper was a prominent American realist painter and printmaker. While most popularly known for his oil paintings, he was equally proficient as a watercolorist and printmaker in etching...
's painting Lighthouse at Two Lights.