Keepers of the Light
The present lighthouse was
commissioned by the U.S.
Government in 1867 to be
built adjacent to the site of
the 1810 tower. The 104' tower
and keeper's dwelling were
designed by the noted
architect Charles Clusky.
Clusky and several of his crew
members died of malaria
during construction. The light
and dwelling were completed
in 1872.
The Lighthouse and Keeper's
Dwelling Today
The lighthouse tower is of brick
construction. Cylindrical in shape,
it has a 129-step cast-iron spiral
staircase. The foundation is 8'
below ground, 30' in diameter, and
3' thick. In 1890, the fireproof oil
house was constructed. The
oil house was designed to hold
450 5-gallon containers of kerosene
to light the lamp in the lantern room.
Later, large oil drums were installed
in the oil house to contain the fuel.
The Keepers Life
Several lighthouse keepers, such
as C.O. Svendsen ( to your left), and
their assistants did duty at this
station. Often, the keeper's wife
served as his assistant keeper.
The lighthouse was completely
automated in 1953.
The early lives' of the keepers were
lonely and monotonous. The Keeper's
main task was to keep the light
burning from sunset to sunrise. In
addition, he was responsible for
routine maintenance of the lens,
buildings such as barns, boat houses,
residence, and grounds.
The pay was $400 to $600 per year in
the 19th Century. The highly prized
position required the Keeper to be able
to read and write, and sons often
followed fathers and grandfathers
footsteps into the United States
Lighthouse Service.
Marker is on 12th Street, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
