Yes, technically I OWN the Fairport Harbor West Lighthouse. It was a long and grueling government auction process followed by what seemed like endless paperwork before I was able to sign my name on the official document of ownership. However, I don’t consider myself the owner, but rather just another steward in a long line of people who have had the privilege of caring for this incredible icon.
The Aids to Navigation mission of the U. S. Coast Guard dates back to the first American lighthouse, which was built and illuminated in 1716. Following Independence, the newly-created Congress of the United States created the “Lighthouse Establishment” on August 7, 1789 as an administrative unit of the federal government to oversee and maintain these important structures. [Note: August 7th is commemorated annually as National Lighthouse Day.] It was known as the "Lighthouse Board" from 1852 to 1910 and then as the "Bureau of Lighthouses" or the "Lighthouse Service” until July 1, 1939 when it was fully incorporated into the U. S. Coast Guard.
The first steward of Fairport Harbor West Lighthouse, Keeper Daniel Babcock, served from 1925 – 1926. Daniel was the last lighthouse keeper of the Grand River Lighthouse at Fairport having taken over for his father, Joseph, before it was decommissioned in 1919.
Starting in 1927, Frank LaRose served for a decade as the lighthouse’s keeper. During his tenure, he instituted some important service standards including watches that were arranged so that two of the three men assigned to the station were always at the lighthouse. An emergency signal was also established that could summon assistance from shore.
John Brophy became head keeper in 1937 after having spent five years in charge of Ashtabula Lighthouse. While the history after John’s departure is sketchy, the lighthouse stayed under the care of the U.S. Coast Guard until I purchased it in 2011.
Every time I walk through the door, I find myself thinking about the men who lived there. What was it like? How did they survive the harsh winters? Did their families join them in the summers? Was it a lonely existence or did the rotating schedule of the others assigned to tend the station keep things busy and provide sufficient human interaction?
The upstairs rooms contain a few clues as to how their living quarters were fashioned. There is an outline of an old kitchen sink and marks where shelves were likely stocked with canned food and provisions. Yes, there was “indoor plumbing” back then – one bathroom – which may have had a washing tub for bathing. Otherwise, the sleeping room was positioned on the northwest side – perhaps to avoid the eastern sunrise. A central sitting room provided an area to read, work or converse. And while it was, indeed, a job for these original stewards to tend to the lighthouse and its beacon, there’s no doubt that their labor of love was no less palatable for the building and its mission than mine…and those stewards who will follow me.
Sources: US Coast Guard Historian; Lighthousefriends.com; Lighthouse Digest magazine; Fairport Harbor Historical Society
