Discover the history...
Set on the highest point of Horns Hill, Flying Bridge was built for Charles “Charlie” MacDonald
in 1987 and has a significant history.
The house served as a weather station for the captains of Monhegan, Penobscot Bay, the Pen Bay, and River Pilots. Charlie maintained and monitored an anemometer and barometer and sent weather reports three times daily to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Gray, Maine. His call sign was “Flying Bridge.”
Today, the weather instruments remain on the living room wall of the house and the wind speed and barometric pressure can still be measured. Although there’s no longer a need to call in the data to NWS, it is an ongoing and welcome tradition to check the instrument recordings and share them with the locals, especially during high-wind events.
NWS, U.S. Department of Commerce recognized Charlie for 11 years of notable contributions, and there is a plaque above the instruments that was presented to Charlie by the boat captains, fishermen, and many mariners along mid-coast Maine in appreciation for his weather reporting.
To the locals, the home will always be the MacDonald house, and in honor of his service, it will also bear the name Flying Bridge.
Become a part of the story…
“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.”
In WWII, Charlie served aboard the battleship U.S.S. Massachusetts in the South Pacific along with Doug Odom with whom he formed a close friendship. Doug introduced Charlie to Monhegan Island which quickly captured Charlie’s attention.
He spent the next 40 years of his working career visiting the island during his time off and helping Doug and his brother Harry with running the Monhegan General Store, lobstering, and many other island responsibilities. In 1984, Charlie acquired land from Harry and began building his Monhegan house to fulfill his dream of living on the island year-round.
Once he was moved to the island after his retirement, Charlie continued to support the community in many ways. In addition to his weather service, he took on the roles of First and Second Assessor. As he learned the give and take of island living, he soon coined the beatitude: “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.” This quote can be found on many refrigerator magnets around the island, including Flying Bridge’s entryway chalkboard.
Left to Right: Harry's dog Taxi, Doug Odom, Harry Odom, Charlie MacDonald
*We’d like to thank Alan J. Faller, distinguished meteorological scientist, for his book, “The Weather ad Climate of Monhegan 04852, A Tribute to Observer and Reporter of the Weather, Charlie MacDonald,” which was a valuable resource for documenting Charlie’s history.
Victor Lord - Construction of Flying Bridge during the mid-1980s
Charlie- Construction of Flying Bridge during the mid-1980s
Charlie and Jewel celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary..
Charlie with Friend Circa 1990s
Croquet on the Cochran lawn below Flying Bridge
Gift shop located where Lupine Gallery is today
Charlie at NOAA