[2][3][4] The light station was established in 1817 and is an active aid to navigation; the present granite tower was built in 1823 and improved in 1848.

The tower is located on the southern shore of the island, with a fog signal house to its west.

A boat landing is located on the northern shore of the island, and a small helipad is near its center.

[5] A fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed in the tower in 1855, and a fog signal and several outbuildings were built the following year.

[2] The Island was added to the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge in 1998.