Guardians of the Lights
Subtitle: Stories of US Lighthouse Keepers
Edition: Revised edition
Publisher: Pineapple Press, Inc.
Published: April 16, 2007
Place of publication: Sarasota, Florida
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 324
ISBN-13: 9781561641192
Subjects: History - U.S.; History; History: World; General; United States - General; Biographies & Memoirs / Biographies
Description: 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 family's 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.