Guardians of the Lights

In a charming blend of history and human interest, this book paints a colorful portrait of the lives of a vanished breedthe lighthouse keepersfrom the year 1716, when the first lighthouse was established in America, to the early 1980s when automation replaced the last human &quote;guardian of the light.&quote; A wealth of material from the archives of the 19th and 20th centuriesprimarily letters, diaries, and newspaper accountsprovides vivid stories about lighthouse keeping in this country: the daily work; coping with fog, storms and other catastrophes; legends and ghosts; women's 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.