If you look closely at the top of the tombstone of lighthouse keeper Alden Hale Jordan, you will notice that his family and friends wanted to make sure that he was remembered for posterity as a lighthouse keeper when they had the lighthouse with a crossed whistling buoy and spar buoy carved into the top of his tombstone.
In spite of what some sources may tell you, this is the actual emblem that was worn on the hats of many of the early lighthouse keepers.
Alden H. Jordan served as a lighthouse keeper for 22 years, first at Maine’s Baker Island Lighthouse from 1867 to 1883 and at then at Maine’s Bear Island Lighthouse from 1883 to 1889. He lived at the lighthouses with his wife Mercy and their three children: George, Freddie and Cora.
Eventually, Lighthouse Digest would like to place a U.S. Lighthouse Service lighthouse keeper memorial plaque at his gravesite at the Seal Harbor Cemetery in Seal Harbor, Maine. To contribute to our ongoing efforts for this cause, please go to www.GoFundMe.com/USLHSGraves.
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