Out past the glistening bay of Camden’s marina is a small island, just beyond the harbor’s mouth. Seven acres long, Curtis Island and its lighthouse have been overlooking Camden since 1896.

Accessible only by boat, this public park was once a fully operational lighthouse, used as a signal station for all ocean traffic into the harbor’s busy hub. However, the lighthouse, whose best view is by boat, has been unused since 1970 when it was turned over to the town of Camden and made into a public park and memorial.

Until recently, the park was served by longtime caretaker Garret Elliott “Connie” Conover, Jr. Conover died in 2010 after twenty years of service, but not before he saw the refurbishing of the keeper’s house through a group of community volunteers.

Named after longtime summer resident Cyrus HK Curtis, Curtis Island boasts a fascinating history and is a beautiful piece of the Penobscot Bay coastline.  So take a sail on the Appledore or another of Camden’s windjammers. Or try renting a kayak at Maine Sport, grabbing a picnic lunch and paddle out to see for yourself!