Congress appropriated $5,000 for the construction of the Bass Harbor Head Light after it was determined that “sufficient need” existed to have a lighthouse near the entrance to Bass Harbor. This was followed by the addition of a fog bell and tower in 1876. However, this was replaced by a substantially larger 4,000 pound bell in 1898 when it was installed within the tower. Originally, there was no easy access via a boat landing until one was added in 1894. On January 21, 1988, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places under the title of Bass Harbor Head Light Station.
There is also a keeper's house that remains pretty much in its original form other than the addition of a 10 foot section that was added in 1900. However, the house currently serves as an actual full-time residence for a U.S. Coast Guard family. They, and the National Park Service, ask that their privacy be respected.