History of Whipple Point Light, Newport, Vermont
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Lake Memphremagog, a deep, freshwater lake, stretches more than 30 miles between Magog, Quebec, and Newport, Vermont. Its name is said to come from an Algonquian word for "big expanse of water." More than 70 percent of the lake lies on the Canadian side of the border.
U.S. Coast Guard photo
Paddlewheel steamships carried passengers on the lake in summer, and the Boston and Maine and Central Vermont railroads were extended to the lake in the late 1800s. With the increased shipping traffic, several small lighthouses were established over the years on both the Canadian and U.S. sides.
Whipple Point is on the west side of the lake, on the south side of an indentation known as Holbrook Bay. The steamship Mountain Maid went aground at the point in August 1869, but all the passengers were safely removed.
An appropriation of $5000 in May 1879 paid for the construction of three lighthouses on Vermont's portion of the lake, all within what is now the city of Newport. One was at Steamboat Wharf, one was at Maxfield Point, and the third was at Whipple Point. The captain of the steamship company on the lake was required to pay a yearly user's tax of $300 for the lighthouses.
Whipple Point is on the west side of the lake, on the south side of an indentation known as Holbrook Bay. The steamship Mountain Maid went aground at the point in August 1869, but all the passengers were safely removed.
An appropriation of $5000 in May 1879 paid for the construction of three lighthouses on Vermont's portion of the lake, all within what is now the city of Newport. One was at Steamboat Wharf, one was at Maxfield Point, and the third was at Whipple Point. The captain of the steamship company on the lake was required to pay a yearly user's tax of $300 for the lighthouses.
A small wooden lighthouse was established a short distance off Whipple Point on July 1, 1879. There was no keeper's house; local caretakers were hired to care for the light.
The lighthouse was badly damaged around 1906 and was subsequently removed. A small skeletal tower remains an active aid to navigation at the location.
The lighthouse was badly damaged around 1906 and was subsequently removed. A small skeletal tower remains an active aid to navigation at the location.
Photo by John Bedard, used with permission
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There is a replica of the lighthouse at Pomerleau Park in Newport, VT. It serves as a ticket booth for the tour boat Newport Belle. |