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What happened to Keeper Gray?
Capt. Joseph M. Gray served for two-score years at a number of Maine lighthouses. In 1938 several Maine newspapers did stories about him that included his photograph. However, the newspapers have long since gone out of business and the whereabouts of the photographs are unknown. One of the stories was written by a popular reporter of the time, Henry Buxton. We are hoping that some of his descendants can be located who might be able to supply us with his photograph, which would be vital to our nation’s lighthouse history. Perhaps one of our readers can locate a photograph hidden away in some library or historical society. We know he was born Feb. 15, 1867 in Brooksville, Maine the son of Jesse Gray. He served as a Maine lighthouse keeper at Crabtree Ledge, Mt. Desert Rock, Great Duck Island, Marshall Point, and Bass Harbor from which he retired from in 1921. If anyone can help us locate a photograph of him it would be greatly appreciated. Contact editor@LighthouseDigest.com.
New DVD tells story of DeTour Reef
The DeTour Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society has produced an exceptional film of Michigan’s DeTour Lighthouse before, during and after restoration, along with fierce storm footage from 1975. It includes interviews with the last known person who built the lighthouse and other officials. All profits from the sale of the video go back to the DeTour Reef Light. To order send $20.00 plus $3.00 shipping to DRLPS, P.O. Box 307, Drummond Island, MI 49726. FMI visit www.DRLPS.com
DeTour honored by governor
The DeTour Reef Lighthouse Society was recently honored by the Governor of Michigan with a Special Tribute for its all-volunteer effort in restoring and saving the DeTour Reef Lighthouse. The Tribute stated that the DeTour group has become the "poster-child" for Michigan lighthouse preservation groups. Congratulations to DRLPS.
Logo help needed
The American Lighthouse Foundation is trying to come up with one or more additional logo designs that it can use in promotional material. It will continue to always use its primary logo, which can be seen on its web site at www.LighthouseFoundation. If you have some ideas or designs that you’d like to submit send them to Tim Harrison, American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF), P.O. Box 889, Wells, ME 04090. Since ALF is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization there is no monetary award for this and all logo designs will become the property of ALF for its use. However, any submitters whose design(s) are chosen will receive a Harbour Lights lighthouse replica as a thank you and a certificate of appreciation from the American Lighthouse Foundation.
Lake Chautauqua Lighthouse
In the collection of the American Lighthouse Foundation is an old postcard of Lighthouse Point showing a large lighthouse on Lake Chautauqua, New York. We are looking for historical information on the lighthouse, such as old photographs of it, old newspaper stories, recorded memories, documents and just about anything pertaining to the history of the lighthouse for a future story in Lighthouse Digest. If any one can help please email editor@LighthouseDigest.com or mail to Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 68, Wells, ME 04090.
Wisconsin beacon in need of bell
The North Point Lighthouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is in the process of restoring the station to its glory years. However, they are lacking a fog bell and are asking the public for help in locating one that can be donated to the lighthouse. They are willing to pay for shipping charges. So if you know of a fog bell looking for a good home contact Hub Ranger, Friends of North Point Lighthouses at 262-241-0522 or by email at hubbuh@aol.com.
Very little known about Lighthouse Depots
Very little has ever been written about the various Lighthouse Depots that were built across the United States. Although they were not lighthouse keepers, people stationed at Lighthouse Depots were employees of the United States Lighthouse Service who played just as an important role in the development of our nation as did the keepers. However, since their duties were not as glamorous to historians as the life of lighthouse keeper their stories and photographs seem to have disappeared into the dusty pages of time. The only exception might be the Lighthouse Depot on Staten Island, NY where a number of photographs have been saved and many of the original buildings still stand.
We are asking our readers for help in locating photographs of the Lighthouse Depots, photos of depot employees, old newspaper stories about them, memories of people who worked at them, and just about anything else that can be used to document the history of Lighthouse Depots. Some depots were full-fledged operations, while others were smaller and some were only devoted to buoys, but all were depots.
For example, some of depots were: Washington Lighthouse Depot, NC; Lazaretto Lighthouse Depot, MD; St. Joseph Lighthouse Depot, MI; New London Lighthouse Depot, CT; Charlevoix Lighthouse Depot, MI.; Edgmoor Lighthouse Depot, DE; Portsmouth Depot, VA; Charleston Lighthouse Depot, SC; Lighthouse Depot, PR; Mare Island, CA; Detroit Lighthouse Depot, MI; Portland or Little Diamond Island Buoy Depot, ME; Goat Island Depot a/k/a Yerba Buena Lighthouse Depot, CA; and Ketchikan Lighthouse Depot, AK.
Help us tell the stories and save the history of the Lighthouse Depots for future generations. If you can help in any way, write to Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P. O. Box 889, Wells, ME 04090, or email editor@LighthouseDigest.com
Last Month’s Trivia Question Answer
My father always wanted to become a lighthouse keeper in either Maryland or Virginia believing it would be a "quiet life for retirement," and it would be a place to live "in peace and tranquility," as well as be "easy work" for the family. My father petitioned the government for a lighthouse keeper’s job on several occasions but he was turned down. Perhaps I should have followed my father’s dreams and not my own misguided beliefs because my horrendous act, which I was eventually shot and died from, changed the course of history. Who am I? The correct answer is John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.
Congratulations to Nancy Hayes of Arnold, Missouri whose name was randomly picked from the winning entries. Her prize, a copy of the hard cover coffee table book, Lighthouses of Australia, is on its way to her.
Maine Lighthouse Museum gets grant
The Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine has just been awarded a $25,000.00 from the Samoset Resort in Rockland, Maine to be used toward the opening of its first phase, in the spring of 2005, at its new location on the City of Rockland waterfront. Formerly called the Shore Village Museum it was founded by former Coast Guardsman Kenneth Black. The museum has the largest collection of Fresnel lenses in a museum in the United States.
Lighthouses and Hollywood
Over the years many movies have been made that featured a lighthouse as a central theme or had a lighthouse in them. The Museum of Lighthouse History is interested in building an exhibit around this theme and needs your help in identifying lighthouses in the movies. If you can help, send your information to Dee@LighthouseDigest.com.
NEW BOOKS
Maine Lighthouses - A Documentation of Their Past
Because of its large concentration of historic old lighthouses the state of Maine is known around the world as "The Lighthouse State." Dozens of lighthouses were built along its coastline where shipbuilding and the sea played a vital role in the development of America. This new book by noted lighthouse authors J. Candace Clifford and Mary Louise Clifford differs from other books on Maine's lighthouses since it is based almost entirely on primary sources. The authors combed the National Archives for the original records that documented the active careers and daily lives of the men and women who maintained and serviced the lights. Soft cover, 8 1/2" x 11" with 220 pages with 156 mostly vintage images. Item #89066 Maine Lighthouses - A Documentation of Their Past Only $22.95
A Salty Piece of Land - A novel by Jimmy Buffet
Yes, this book is written by the same Jimmy Buffet of Margaritaville fame, and I’m sure many of you will but it, just because of the author. However, it is also a great book that you will enjoy reading this winter.
It’s not on any chart, but the tropical island of Cayo Loco is the perfect place to run away from all your problems. If you are looking for a license to chill, come along as cowboy Tully Mars takes his pony to the shore—on an unforgettable Caribbean adventure as colorful and wonderfully bizarre as cocktail hour at your favorite expatriate bar. While walking on the beach, he can’t believe his eyes when a 142-foot schooner comes out of the mist. At the helm is Cleopatra Highbourne, the 101-year-old sea captain, who will take him to a lighthouse on a salty piece of land that will change his life forever.
#91389 A Salty Piece of Land $27.95
Lighthouse Books make great wintertime reading
Lighthouse Depot has a large selection of lighthouse books; historical books that will teach you the history, children’s books on lighthouses, novels, ghost stories around lighthouses, and even murder mysteries that revolve around a lighthouse. So, if you looking for good winter reading, go the book section at www.LighthouseDepot.com
This month’s Trivia Question
American folklore says I was a keeper at this Great Lakes Lighthouse in 1854 and even an issue of U. S. News & World Report in 2004 said I was a lighthouse keeper. However, the records that prove I was a keeper apparently do not exist. In fact some stories state that I actually ran an observation tower that I charged admission for, which might have led to the stories that I was a lighthouse keeper. Has folklore eventually become fact? I don’t know, but if I was alive today, I would be able to set the record straight. However I would probably talk to you more about my son and how proud I am of his inventions that changed the world. What is my name? Send your answer, along with you name and mailing address to Dee@LHDigest.com and we will randomly pick one name from among the correct answers for a wonderful prize from Lighthouse Depot.
January Lighthouse Digest is packed with stories and information
The January issue of Lighthouse Digest is packed with current lighthouse news and stories from the dusty pages of history. The issue contains stories on Oak Island Light, Anclote Light, Marshall Point Light, Brandy Pot, a two page Kids on the Beam for children, a story on collecting nautical antiques, Matt Rothman’s report on the Harbour Lights secondary market, and lots of tid-bits about lighthouses you never heard of. If you are not yet a subscriber call toll free at 1-866-643-4227 and tell them you want to start with the January issue, or go to www.LighthouseDigest.com. It’s only $28.00 per year with eleven issues per year. It also makes a great gift anytime of the year for any reason such as birthday, anniversary, or as a house-warming gift. It’s wholesome and educational for the entire family.
Are you in need of a vacation?
If so, you might look into the Lighthouse Depot 2005 lighthouse tours at www.LighthouseDepopt.com. There are a number of great tours planned for 2005 in Maine, New England, the mid-Atlantic, the Great Lakes and even South Africa. Lighthouse Depot tours are a great way to visit lighthouses and meet new friends plus you’ll have a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Be sure to visit the Lighthouse Depot Clearance section for ever-changing items that have been discontinued.
Do you know someone who likes lighthouses? If so, send us their name and address or call 1-800-758-1444 and we’ll send them a free Lighthouse Depot Catalog.
Best wishes to all of you for a healthy and happy 2005.
Lighthouse Depot - Dedicated to saving lighthouses, one gift at a time.
www.LighthouseDepot.com 
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