Near Newport in Lincoln County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
A Family Affair
Even though Newport was only four miles (7 km) away, bad weather, poor roads, and the demands of their work combined to tie the keepers and their families to the Yaquina Head Light Station.
What did they do?
They caught, shot and grew their own food
“Keepers whitewashing the garden fence and weeding the garden also today.”
- June 8, 1887
“2nd Asst. went up north beach trout fishing."
- June 9, 1887
"1st Asst. killed two calves today."
- September 22, 1888
They coped with the weather
”…when there were big storms and the seas were rough, it would make a roar and shake the house… The spray from the ocean, when the seas were rough, would spray clear up to the house."
- Marguerite Canterbury (born at Yaquina Head light station on June 18, 1916; daughter of First Assistant Fred Joseph Booth).
They entertained themselves
“… on one occasion my father dressed in mother's clothes, my mother dressed in Herbert Higgins' uniform, and my sister dressed up. That was fun!"
- Kathleen (Booth) Labarre, who lived at the station (1914-18) when her father was First Assistant.
Some of the women became “keeps”
"Mrs. M.J. Plummer went on duty as laborer today until a 2nd Asst. arrives at the station."
- August 17, 1888
In the long history of staffed U.S. lighthouses, a number of women, usually wives or daughters of keepers, served as keepers.
They sometimes died
"Moderate to fresh breezes S. to S.E. these hours last 12 hours some damp fog sea moderately smooth Keeper Capt. S.L. Wass died at 2 PM."
- February 9, 1886
Unless otherwise noted, all quotations are from the Keeper's Log, Yaquina Head Light Station.
Erected by U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels • Women.
Location. 44° 40.608′ N, 124° 4.774′ W. Marker is near Newport, Oregon, in Lincoln County. Marker can be reached from Northwest Lighthouse Drive west of Oregon Coast Highway (U.S. 101). Marker is located beside the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, at the end of NW Lighthouse Drive, within the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, about 4 miles north of Newport, Oregon. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport OR 97365, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Keeper's Work Was Never Done (here, next to this marker); It's a Long Way Up (here, next to this marker); A String of Lights (within shouting distance of this marker); South to Newport (within shouting distance of this marker); The Changing Light Station Community: (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lighthouse Life in the Western Wilderness (about 400 feet away); Built to Last: Dedication to Quality (about 400 feet away); Newport, Oregon (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 249 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on April 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.