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Doris Kilton Sprague, at age 95, jotted down a few memories for us in August of last year of her lighthouse life at Little River Lighthouse in Cutler, Maine. Her grandfather was Charles Kenney keeper at the Little River Lighthouse from May 1912 until 1923.
“I was seven years when I had my first visit to Little River Lighthouse. I remember asking Grampa if I could help him work there - like washing the windows, sweeping floors, etc. He thought I was too young, but he gave me a cleaning cloth and I was happy. I was with them on and off for eleven years.
“Grampa always gave me work to do and I loved it. I walked to the boathouse often and Gram usually went with me. One day I went alone. Coming back to the house the cow took a jump for me. I never could understand that as she was very tame but I never went outside the gate alone again.
“I used to start the bell when it was foggy and stopped it too. I helped keep the lighthouse clean and that helped Gram, as everything had to be free of dust.
“I lived with Gram and Grampa whenever there wasn’t any school. I loved my seasoned years on that dear island. We always had company during the summer. I always showed them around. I knew what to say and do like Grampa and Gram. They were great people.
“Grampa bought Gram an organ. She taught me how to play. I had a busy life with them on Little River Island. They were transferred to Dochet Island, (St. Croix Light) so I did not get to see them as much as I did for that 11 years. I missed my second home. I did visit Doubling Point Light a few times. My Dad was keeper there for a few years.
“Lighthouses are always near me. I am now 95 years old but think often of the happy times I had on lighthouses.”
This story appeared in the May 2001 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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