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This vintage post card shows a lighthouse keeper rowing back to Maine’s Cape Neddick Light Station, more commonly known as Nubble Light.
William M. Brooks, who was the keeper from 1904 to 1912, maintained a thriving summer business by charging tourists a fee of 10 cents to be rowed over to the lighthouse. Reportedly, for those who wanted, there was also a separate charge to climb the tower.
This flourishing business was discovered by the lighthouse inspector during an unscheduled visit. In a report dated, October 15, 1912 the inspector wrote that this ferry service allowed “200 to 300 people at certain times to roam at will about the reservation with only the keeper’s wife to care for the government property.” The report went on to state that many people were encouraged to visit the island lighthouse station for the purpose of fishing, “as the keeper keeps fish poles, lines, bait, etc. for that purpose.” Apparently the inspector told keeper Brooks that this island tourist ferrying service must stop, a matter that probably did not sit well with the keeper.
A follow-up communication to headquarters dated October 21, 1912 stated that keeper Brooks had resigned. Former keeper William Brooks then became the proprietor of the Bay View Motel in York Beach. (Lighthouse Digest archives)
Back to the edition of: Jan/Feb 2021
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