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Halfway Rock is a windswept, rocky ledge far out in Maine’s Casco Bay, about nine miles east of Portland Head. Its name comes from its location about halfway between Cape Elizabeth and Cape Small. A 76-foot granite lighthouse tower was built on the ledge in the summer of 1871. It's now privately owned and has been restored in recent years.

Halfway Rock Light, photo by Jeremy D'EntremontSeguin Light, photo by Jeremy D'Entremont

Tim Bailey

Tim Bailey was born in Gardiner, Maine, but he spent his school years in Connecticut. After graduating from high school, Tim joined the Coast Guard. After his time as a keeper at Halfway Rock (1971-72), he was stationed at Boothbay Harbor, Maine, then Seguin Light Station off the mouth of the Kennebec River.

In this interview, he discusses his experiences at Halfway Rock and Seguin Island. Joining in on the interview is Ford Reiche, the owner of Halfway Rock Lighthouse.

Thanks to Jesse Littlefield for her help with this interview with her dad, Tim Bailey.

Photographer Mike Leonard lives in Yarmouth, Maine, and his photography is frequently seen in books and magazines, and in television segments. Mike offers workshops on digital photography, which you can read about on his website at phototourismbymike.com. In this installment of “Photo Tips with Mike Leonard" he discusses night photography of lighthouses.

Portland Head Light, photo by Mike LeonardWest Quoddy Head Light, photo by Mike Leonard

Gallery of photos of Halfway Rock, 1971-72 (Courtesy of Tim Bailey):

December 1971

Tim Bailey rowing the USCG peapod boatDecember 1971 - hole in lantern glass made by a sea duck

The boat slipThe third-order Fresnel lens

February 1972 storm damage; railing and fuel tank missingFrank Reese and Tim Bailey, Thanksgiving 1971

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