Eldon Mayer certainly got a lot in his article “Monumental truths” in the October issue of Working Waterfront.
The Little Mark Island Monument in Casco Bay was built in 1827 and was of many built along the seacoast shortly after Maine achieved statehood. As far as I know, there was no previous marker there.
In 1927 an automatic acetylene flashing white light was placed on the monument showing from 75 feet above the sea—the 50-foot tower plus 25 feet, the height of the island above mean high water. In 1857, a lighthouse was proposed for Little Mark Island, but 20 years later it was instead built on Halfway Rock, to the south.
Who built it? Most likely the locals, with local supplies. When Minot’s Ledge Light in Massachusetts was being built in 1855-1860, two experienced stonecutters from Vermont came to train the local fishermen in dressing stone. Visitors marveled that stone could be so finely cut into various complicated shapes, and made so smooth. I would expect nothing less from Maine fishermen.
As for the Red Paint People, now called the Maritime Archaic Indians, there are a number of stone towers on various points along Newfoundland’s coat which are credited to these Native Americans, and they have been standing for about 7,000 years. Will the stone towers along the Maine coast last as long?
Bob Fraser
Lincolnville