NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 8-86) RECEIVED United States Department of the Interior National Park Service 'AN 05 1988 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NATIONAL REGISTER This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials, and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheets (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1. Name of Property historic name Baker Island Light Station other names/site number 2. Location street & number Baker Island, Acadia National Park (ACAD) N/A not for publication city, town Islesford, vicinity state Maine code ME county Hancock code 009 zip code 04646 3. Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property private building(s) Contributing Noncontributing public-local district 3 buildings public-State site sites public-Federal structure 1 structures object objects 4 0 Total Name of related multiple property listing: Number of contributing resources previously Light Stations of Maine listed in the National Register 0 4. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet. Sance D. SHPO Signature of certifying official 10/30/87 Date Maine Historic Preservation Commission State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet. Edwin Bearss 12/22/87 Signature of commenting or other official Date State or agency and bureau chief Federal Helberry National Park Service 5. National Park Service Certification I, hereby, certify that this property is: entered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National any Schlagel 3/14/88 Register. See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) Signature of the Keeper Date of Action 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Transportation: Water-Related Vacant 7. Description Architectural Classification Materials (enter categories from instructions) (enter categories from instructions) foundation Brick Other: Light Station walls Brick Wood: Weatherboard roof Asphalt other Describe present and historic physical appearance. The Baker Island Light Station is located on a small island which is now part of Acadia National Park. The complex, situated nearly seventy feet above sea level, consists of a cylindrical brick tower, a detached one-and-a-half- story frame keeper's house, an oil house, and a fuel house. 1. LIGHT TOWER - CONTRIBUTING BUILDING Attaining a height of thirty-seven feet from its base to the lens focal plane, the tower, built in 1855, is entered from a door facing the house. Originally covered by a passageway, the door is flanked by the surviving square brick walls which are joined to the round tower. Two window openings, now covered, are located in the tower's south and north face respectively. They illuminate the interior spiral stair. An iron walkway with a railing projects slightly over the walls. An octagonal iron lantern with clear glass panes in its upper section surmounts the tower. It is capped by a domed polygonal roof featuring a spherical ventilator. The 1903 Annual Report of the Light-House Board makes reference to a reinforcement of the tower, but the exact nature of this undertaking is not clear. 2. KEEPER'S HOUSE - CONTRIBUTING BUILDING Constructed in 1855, the keeper's house is an L-shaped building sheathed in clapboards that rests on a brick foundation. Its three-bay facade has a door at the northeast corner and two window openings (now boarded over). Shallow pediments frame these openings. A gable roofed dormer surmounts the central window and a brick chimney punctuates the roof ridge. There are four symmetrically placed windows on the west gable end and three on the east end. Originally, a door was located on this tower end. There are two windows on the rear elevation of the main block as well as a second dormer. The short ell has a window and narrow shed roofed vestibule on the east side, a single window at the rear and a door and one window on the wall. A brick flue rises through the ell. A documentary photograph of the Baker Island Light Station shows that the existing tower and house have undergone a number of changes since they were built in 1855. The dwelling's clapboards replace the original board-and-batten siding and the dormers are later additions. Further alterations were made with the removal of the narrow connecting passageway between the house and tower. See continuation sheet NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No/ 1024-0018 (8-86) 1/5/88 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page 2 3. OIL HOUSE - CONTRIBUTING BUILDING The diminutive brick oil house, constructed in 1895, is typical of other similar buildings erected at this time. It features a ridge mounted ventilator and a door surmounted by a transom in one gable end. 4. FUEL HOUSE - CONTRIBUTING BUILDING The rectangular, gable roofed fuel house is a wooden frame building sheathed in wood shingles. Constructed in 1905, the building has a large double door and window in one gable end and a smaller side door and central window in the opposite end. Small windows punctuate the sides. NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (0-86) 1/5/88 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page 3 2. 1. Photo 1 3. Sketch Map 4. Baker Island Light Station Islesford Vic., Maine Not to Scale 8. Statement of Significance Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: nationally statewide locally Applicable National Register Criteria A B C D Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) A B C D E F G Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Period of Significance Significant Dates Architecture 1855-1937 1855 Engineering Transportation Cultural Affiliation N/A Significant Person Architect/Builder N/A U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Designer State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. Standing at the summit of Baker Island, the Baker Island Light Station is a relatively intact example of an 1850s Maine complex. It possesses integrity of design, setting and association necessary for registration in the multiple property submission "Light Stations of Maine The station's significance is evaluated with respect to the historic contexts Maritime Transportation in Maine: ca. 1600-1917 and Federal Lighthouse Management: 1789-1939. The light station at Baker Island was established in 1828 as a guide to the south entrance to Frenchman's Bay and Mount Desert Island. Its strategic location as a navigational aid is emphasized by the number of coastal communities in the vicinity as well as its role in guiding vessels along the coast between the lights at Saddleback Ledge to the southwest and Petit Manan to the northeast. It was the first light station established in the vicinity of Mount Desert Island. During the late nineteenth century the Baker Island Light guided the numerous vessels which came to Mount Desert bearing tourists for the resorts at Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor and others. The tower continues to serve as an aid to navigation under the supervision of the Coast Guard. The keeper's dwelling and ancillary buildings have been transferred to Acadia National Park as has the entire island. Baker Island light derives significance under criteria A and C. Criteria A is satisfied by the association of the complex with Maine's critical reliance on maritime transportation and the aids that made navigation possible. Criteria C is met by the station's distinctive character that primarily embodys mid- nineteenth century light station design and construction. See continuation sheet 9. Major Bibliographical References Annual Report of the Light-House Board. Washington, D.C.: U. S. G. P. O., various dates. Maine State Year Book and Legislative Manual. Portland: various publishers and dates. See continuation sheet Previous documentation on file (NPS): preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) Primary location of additional data: has been requested X State historic preservation office previously listed in the National Register Other State agency previously determined eligible by the National Register X Federal agency designated a National Historic Landmark Local government recorded by Historic American Buildings University Survey # Other recorded by Historic American Engineering Specify repository: Record # National Park Service, Acadia National Park Inventory 10. Geographical Data Acreage of property Approximately 10 UTM References A 19 563820 4898810 B 19 564100 4898810 Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing C 19 564100 4898660 D 19 563820 4898660 See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description The nominated property of approximately 10 acres occupies the Town of Cranberry Isles, Tax Map 29, Lot 2. See continuation sheet Boundary Justification The boundary of the Baker Island Light Station surrounds the buildings and immediate setting historically associated with the complex. See continuation sheet 11. Form Prepared By name/title Kirk F. Mohney, Architectural Historian organization Maine Historic Preservation Commission date October, 1987 street & number 55 Capitol Street, Station #65 telephone 207/289-2132 city or town Augusta, state Maine zip code 04333 NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page Name Light Stations of Maine MPS State Maine Nomination/Type of Review Date Listed 22. Indian Island Light Station Review 3/23/84 intered in the 23. Pumpkin Island Light Station 2/1/58 National Register 24. Winter Harbor Light Station 2/1/88 25. Baker Island Light Station Susstantive Review - 3/04/88 ner 26. Bear Island Light Station Substantive Review 3/14/88 - ,,T27. Great Duck Island Light Station Entered in the 3/14/88 National Register 28. Halfway Rock Light Station SubstantIve Review - 3/14/88 DEP 29. Little River Light Station SubstantTee - 3/14/88 Substantive Ravier SER30 30. Boon Island Light Station - 3/14/88 Entered in the 31. Lubec Channel Light Station - 3/14/88 National Register x23. Mount Desert Light Station tantim Davier - 3/14/88 Matered in the 33. Matinicus Rock Light Station - 3/14/88 National Register vc34. Prospect Harbor Light Station Substantian Review - 3/14/88 and In the 35. Ram Island Ledge Light Station - 3/14/08 36. Whitehead Light Station Borth - 3/14/88 37. Saddleback Ledge Light Station Entered in the - 3/14/88 National Register WASO Form 177 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ("R" June 1984) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Baker Island Light Station (Light Stations of Maine MPS JAN 5 1988 Hancock County Working No. MAINE Fed. Reg. Date: $ubwtantive Review Date Due: 2/5/88 / 2/19/88 Action: ACCEPT resubmission RETURN 2-10-88 nomination by person or local government REJECT owner objection Federal Agency: appeal Substantive Review: sample request appeal NR decision Reviewer's comments: Please review the period of significance within the context Recom./Criteria Return Reviewer Saurage Submission The period should of the multiple property Discipline architestinal History Date 2/8/88 see continuation sheet reflect the significance of the extant Nomination returned for: technical corrections cited below resources unless a case can substantive reasons discussed below be madefor the significance of the site independendent from 1. Name also comments of 1/21/88 on the light station complex see 2. Location the some issue (onother properties in the MPSY 3. Classification Category Ownership Status Present Use Public Acquisition Accessible 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? yes no 7. Description Condition Check one Check one excellent deteriorated unaltered original site good ruins altered moved date fair unexposed Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 8. Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) summary paragraph completeness AL clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state local State Historic Preservation Officer signature title date 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Patrick Andres Signed Date 2/10/88 Phone: GPO 918-450 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet RESUBMISSION WASO Form 177 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ("R" June 1984) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Baker Island Light Station (Light Station of Maine MPS) Substantivo Review Hancock County MAINE Working No. JAN 5 1988 Fed. Reg. Date: 2-7-909 Date Due: 4/7/88 Action: ACCEPT 3-14-88 resubmission RETURN nomination by person or local government REJECT owner objection Federal Agency: appeal Substantive Review: sample request appeal NR decision Reviewer's comments: Recom./Criteria Accept Arc Reviewer Savage Discipline Architectural 3/14/88 History Date Initial return comments have been addressed. see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: technical corrections cited below substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Status Present Use Public Acquisition Accessible 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? yes no 7. Description Condition Check one Check one excellent deteriorated unaltered original site good ruins altered moved date fair unexposed Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 8. Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state local State Historic Preservation Officer signature title date 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed Date Phone: GPO 918-450 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet LIGHT TOWER + KEEPER'S HOUSE BAKER ISLAND LIGHT STATION ISLESFORD vic., MAINE DEBORAH WADE 811987 MHPC VIEW From SOUTHWEST PHOTO 1 Please refer to the map in Great Duck Island Light Station for this property Great Duck Island Light Station Reference Number: 88000159 DEPARTMENT OF THE United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE P.O. BOX 37127 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20013-7127 IN REPLY REFER TO: H32(418) JAN 4 1987 Memorandum To: Chief of Registration, Interagency Resources Division From: Chief Historian Subject: Nomination of Baker Island Light Station and Bear Island Light Station to the National Register Attached please find for your evaluation the subject nominations. Both properties are located in Acadia National Park, and are included as components of a multiple property submission titled "Light Stations' of Maine." A copy of the "Multiple Property Documentation Form" providing a context is also attached. The forms were prepared by Architectural Historian, Kirk F. Mohney of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, are of a superior character that merits our commen- dation, and represent many hours of hard field and library effort. Acadia National Park Superintendent Hauptman has reviewed the documentation and concurs with the nominations, which have been certified and signed by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr., the Maine State Historic Preservation Officer. I have also signed the forms, and agree that the two light stations are of statewide significance. Attachments IAN 5 1988