August 7th Commenced Lighthouse Week in 1939 - Did You Know? From the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 3 – The President, 1938-1943 Compilation: Lighthouse Week Whereas Public Resolution 16, 76th Congress (53 Stat. 746), approved May 15, 1939, provides in part: “That the week commencing August 7, 1939, is hereby designated as… (Read More...)
Storm Watching at Cape Elizabeth - The following excerpt is from a letter penned by Shirley Morong, which appeared in the March 1964 issue of the National Fisherman / Maine Coast Fisherman newspaper. Shirley Morong’s husband, Clifton Morong, served as keeper of Cape Elizabeth Light from 1946 to 1955. “I have… (Read More...)
Long Point Lighthouse - The following assessment / description of Long Point Lighthouse, Massachusetts, by I.W.P. Lewis, Civil Engineer, is recorded in the House of Representatives, Doc. No. 183: Report of Evidence relating to the Light-House Establishment, 1842... Fixed light if 10 lamps; established in 1826 A wooden tenement… (Read More...)
Little River Lighthouse Memories - The following comments were made by Neil Corbett, son of Willie Corbett, who served as keeper of Little River Lighthouse in Cutler from 1921 to 1945. The quotes appeared in the book, The Rockbound Coast: Travels in Maine, by Christopher Little, 1994. In speaking of… (Read More...)
National Lighthouse Day Proclamation – 1989 - A look back at the Presidential Proclamation commemorating National Lighthouse Day on August 7, 1989… Proclamation 5993 – National Lighthouse Day, 1989, by President George H. W. Bush on June 19, 1989: “Lighthouses, the buildings whose solitary beacons have helped guide countless ships through the… (Read More...)
Two Men in Motor Boat Rescued by Whaleback Lightkeeper Amee - The following story appeared in the Sanford Tribune on July 28, 1911. The incident and subsequent rescue occurred on July 22, 1911, about a half-mile east of Whaleback Lighthouse on White Island Reef. If not for the vigilance and quick response of Whaleback lightkeeper Walter… (Read More...)
The Position of Lighthouse Keeper in 1852 - The following comments in regards to lighthouse keepers were made in the Report of the Officers Constituting the Light-House Board, 1852. The report examined the condition of the Light-House Establishment of the United States (during the control of Stephen Pleasonton, Fifth Auditor of the U.S.… (Read More...)
A Glimpse of Life at Race Point Light - The following excerpted letter was written by Frances Hallett, wife of Race Point Light Station keeper Osborne Earle Hallett (1945-1955). The letter was published in the December 1952 edition of the Maine Coast Fisherman. “Will write a few lines. There really hasn’t been too much… (Read More...)
Tommy the Cat at Pomham Rocks Light - The following story appeared in the January 18, 1931 edition of the Times-Picayune newspaper. Adolf H. Aronson served as the keeper of the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse (RI) during this time (1908 to 1937). Cat Catches Fish by Diving into Sea Practice Reputed to Have Been… (Read More...)
A Lighthouse Needed on Little River Island - In an 1843 report to Congress, civil engineer I.W.P. Lewis advocated for a lighthouse to be built on Little River Island in Cutler, Maine. It wasn’t until March 1847 when Congress finally appropriated $5,000 for a light station at Little River. The station was completed… (Read More...)
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse – A Look Back - Today, the Rockland Breakwater and its historic lighthouse that stands sentinel at the south end of the granite structure are well-known and beloved icons of Midcoast Maine. Not only does the breakwater continue to serve as a harbor of refuge along Penobscot Bay, countless thousands… (Read More...)
Keeper of Cape Elizabeth Light is Fatally Injured - Throughout the history of lighthouses, keepers could not tend the light or clean the tower from top to bottom without climbing a set of stairs to reach the lantern. It was task that could be required a number of times per day and undertaken as… (Read More...)
A Tornado at Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse - The following story appeared in the June 6, 1865 edition of The Portland Daily Press. James Mariner was the keeper of the Two Lights at Cape Elizabeth during this time. Mr. Mariner served as keeper of this light station from 1861 to 1869. At the… (Read More...)
Keeper Sounds Fog Bell by Hand for Two Nights - The following account appeared in the July 1933 Lighthouse Service Bulletin, which was issued monthly by the United States Lighthouse Service from 1912 to 1939... “Thomas L. Chase, keeper of Long Point Light Station, Provincetown, Mass., struck the thousand-pound fog bell by hand during two… (Read More...)
Three Vessels Ashore at Wood Island Light in One Day - The following news article entitled, "Perils of the Sea" appeared in the Portland Press Daily on December 27, 1872. Three vessels went ashore at Wood Island Light on Christmas Eve. The keeper at the time was Albert Norwood. The article read as follows: “Three vessels… (Read More...)
A Keeper’s Letter from Whaleback Lighthouse - The following letter by an unnamed keeper at Whaleback Lighthouse in Kittery, Maine, appeared in the March 1957 issue of the Maine Coast Fisherman… “Well, here it is the end of January already, and the year is going by so fast that we here at… (Read More...)
Keeper Tasked with Marking Shipwreck - Lighthouse enthusiasts are quite familiar with the responsibilities of bygone lightkeepers. First and foremost, keepers were expected to maintain a good light each and every night, and during periods of poor visibility, ensure the fog signal was sounding its audible warning. Of course, maintaining the… (Read More...)
Storm Moved Bell Tower at Little River - The following letter was written by Ruth Corbett Farris, daughter of Little River Light Station keeper Willie Corbett. The letter was published in the December 1954 edition of the Maine Coast Fisherman. Bell Tower Moves Cutler, Maine – “Here is a picture for the lighthouse… (Read More...)
Letter Written by Keeper’s Wife at Race Point Light - The following letter was written by Frances Hallett, wife of Race Point Light Station keeper Osborne Earle Hallett (1945-1955). The letter was published in the September 1952 edition of the Maine Coast Fisherman. P’Town Light Joins Up Race Point Light, Provincetown – “We enjoy reading… (Read More...)
Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter Fondly Recalled the Flying Santa - Marla Rogers spent her childhood as a lightkeeper’s daughter. When Marla was seven years old, her father – Archford “Ted” Vernon Haskins, was appointed keeper of Owls Head Light Station. Keeper Haskins and his family served at Owls Head Light from 1947 to 1953. Marla… (Read More...)
