HARPSWELL — A historic lighthouse in Casco Bay will likely have a new owner after the federal government closed out an auction for the more than century-old structure Saturday.

The Halfway Rock Light Station, built in 1871, is located on a 2-acre ledge of rock off Bailey Island, near South Harpswell. The 76-foot-tall lighthouse gets its name from the fact that it’s halfway between Cape Elizabeth and Cape Small.

Bidding began July 17 at $30,500, increased gradually over several weeks and was extended several times after an initial projected closing date of Aug. 26. Bidding had been topping out at about $275,000.

A spokesman for the federal General Services Administration said Saturday that he could not confirm the highest bid until Monday. He said about a dozen bidders toured the interior of the lighthouse last month.

The GSA, which conducted the auction, typically reviews a winning bid before a property is awarded and identifies the bidder when the deal goes through.

The lighthouse was built in response to an 1860s shipwreck in which everyone on board drowned. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places for 26 years.

The granite tower is topped by an iron dome roof for the light, which officials say will continue to serve as an active navigation aid. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the light.

A Maine man bought New England’s tallest lighthouse, the Boon Island Light Station off of York, for $78,000 earlier this month.


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