Pond Island Light Pond Island is a rocky 10 acre island at the mouth of the Kennebec River. The origin of the name is unknown as there is no pond there. Soldiers were stationed there during the War of 1812 to stop the British from entering the Kennebec. The island was also a transfer point for steamer passengers in the 1820's. In 1821 the first stone lighthouse was built on the island to mark the east side entrance to the Kennebec. This building lasted until 1855 when the present 20 foot tower was built and fitted with a fifth order Fresnel lens. It was automated in 1963, all the buildings except the lighthouse were destroyed by the Coast Guard. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the island as a bird refuge.