In a charming blend of history and human interest, this book paints a
colorful portrait of the lives of a vanished breed—the lighthouse
keepers—from the year 1716, when the first lighthouse was established in
America, to the early 1980s when automation replaced the last human
“guardian of the light." A wealth of material from the archives of the
19th and 20th centuries—primarily letters, diaries, and newspaper
accounts—provides vivid stories about lighthouse keeping in this
country: the daily work; coping with fog, storms and other catastrophes;
legends and ghosts; women's and families' roles; lighthouse children
and pets; the natural world around lighthouses; and the diverse
characters of those who held the job. Lighthouse keeping was a unique
occupation, now obsolete, and this book is a fitting tribute to these
tough, usually solitary, and dedicated heroes who kept the lights
burning every night, without fail.
Author: Elinor DeWire
Published: June 1, 1996
Paperback, 5.9 x 0.8 x 8.9 inches, 324 Pages
