Gay Head Lighthouse, 1799

At its core, however, the dramatic history of America’s lighthouses is about people, and an intriguingly diverse cast of compelling characters brings that history to vivid life. These include Founding Fathers, skillful engineers, imperiled mariners and intrepid soldiers, as well as saboteurs, penny-pinching bureaucrats, ruthless egg collectors and inspiring leaders. Undoubtedly the most important actors are the male and female keepers, who — often with the invaluable assistance of their families — faithfully kept the lights shining and the fog signals blaring.

No one who has studied the history of these keepers could claim that their lives were a proverbial picnic, for they contended with loneliness, monotony and a myriad of dangers. Not surprisingly a few died in the line of duty. Many keepers rescued people in distress on the water, some performing so heroically that America’s highest award for lifesaving was bestowed on them. Above all, keepers provided a vital public service that was at once noble and altruistic. As the early 20th century historian William S. Pelletreau stated, “Among all the hosts who are called to the service of the government … perhaps none is charged with duties of such moment and of such universal usefulness as is the lighthouse keeper. The soldier and the statesman protect the national honor and the person and property of the citizen, and their acts are performed in the gaze of the world. But the quiet man who trims and lights the shore and harbor lights, and watches them through the long night … stands his vigil for all humanity, asking no questions as to the nationality or purpose of him whom he directs to safety.”