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It was one of the first government jobs available to women. The rules outlined duties, making it possible to commend and honor the keepers who went above and beyond the requirements…while also identifying keepers who had to be dismissed. The rules helped ensure proper care for government property and reduced supply waste.Ĭ. There were standards for lightkeeping after the Board was established in 1852ī. There were three main reasons keepers and to follow strict rules:Ī. Lighthouse Keepers Had To Follow Strict Rules A lighthouse might be the living quarters of the keeper, but the structure belonged to the nation.Ĥ. That meant although a keeper lived there and was paid for his work, anyone – an official, a civilian, or military – could arrive at the lighthouse and ask for shelter or a tour. A lighthouse was the home of the keeper, assistant keepers, and/or their families, but it was first and foremost an aid to navigation.
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Yes, lighthouses could be in remote or difficult to reach locations, and some sat the entrances to harbors or near popular vacationing places.
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Lighthouse Structures Were Government Property Lightkeeping positions could be “awarded” as political favors or as jobs for veterans – particularly after the Civil War however, lightkeepers had to be able to perform their duties and couldn’t sit “idly on the job.”ģ. They had to follow a strict set of rules and were over seen by the district inspector and Lighthouse Board (see below). Typically making between $800-$1,000, lighthouse keepers were hired and employed by the U.S. Lighthouse Keepers Were Government Employees During the day, there were constant chores, cleaning, repairs, and daily life tasks to accomplish, and maybe a nap to rest for the evening watch.Ģ. Keepers stayed away through the night, taking turns at the light watches if there were multiple keepers at the light station. Lightkeeping was not the idyllic life we might imagine, not the scene of an old keeper wearily climbing the stairs to light the lamps before he went to bed. There were no sick days and no time off either.