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Why Lighthouses?

What is it about lighthouses that makes them so magnetizing? They seem like such a simple structure with a simple purpose, and yet they have fascinated people for generations. There are legends surrounding lighthouses...movies, books, paintings, the list goes on. Something about them draws us in.

Swallowtail Light, Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick; Photo ⓒ Madeline Cameron

Personally, what I love about lighthouses is the unique stories they each tell. Each seaside sentinel has seen a cacophony of storms, shipwrecks, and despair mixed with moments of heroism, beauty, and calm. Lighthouses have seen the sun rise and fall, standing steadfast no matter what the day or night brings.


Lighthouses give off light but they also reflect the natural landscape and the communities that built them. Their architecture tells us something about the people that planned and constructed them. Their condition over time tells us about their keepers. And their continued presence gives local landscapes identity and a historic marker to remind us of our maritime past.

Egg Rock Light, Winter Harbor, Maine; Photo ⓒ Madeline Cameron

I'm not really sure where this blog will take me. It was born out of an innate love of lighthouses and a need to tell their stories. Enjoy the ride and we'll see what we can discover.


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© 2024 by The Fresnel Lens. © Madeline Cameron

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