Guardians of the Lights: Stories of U.S. Lighthouse Keepers

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; womens 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.