Question: A few years ago, there were stories about Little Mark Island and the possibility of Harpswell acquiring it, as the government had declared it to be excess property. Where does that effort stand today?
Cathy Quinn
Easton, Massachusetts
Answer: In late 2023, the Harpswell Select Board approved a partnership agreement between the town and Freeport-based nonprofit The Presumpscot Foundation to jointly submit a bid to acquire Little Mark Island and its nearly 200-year-old tower in Casco Bay from the National Park Service.
The federal government no longer has a purpose for Little Mark Island and its 50-foot stone tower, built in 1827 as a maritime landmark, so it is offering to hand over the property at no cost to an eligible entity such as a municipality or nonprofit. Harpswell had planned to apply by itself before being approached by the foundation, which previously acquired and preserved Harpswell’s Halfway Rock Light Station.
Presumpscot’s founder, businessman and preservationist Ford Reiche, said the effort is still underway and he is expecting an update soon.
“The situation with the federal government cutbacks has slowed the process, but I am quite confident that it is moving forward,” Reiche said in an email. “There is a rumor that word will be out in the next few weeks.”
Under the partnership agreement, Presumpscot would be “the lead entity for ownership and stewardship responsibilities.” Reiche said the foundation has developed a plan for how to showcase the island and its unusual monument to the public if its joint effort with Harpswell succeeds.
“We’ve put a lot of thought into it,” he told the Anchor in 2023. “As the owner of Halfway Rock, I’ve got a pretty good sense of what’s practical and what isn’t.”
J. Craig Anderson
Reporter, Harpswell Anchor
Send “Ask the Anchor” questions to joliver@harpswellanchor.org.
