About Me

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After retirement, for two summers I worked as a tour guide at the Umpqua River Lighthouse in Oregon. This opportunity enabled me to learn more about that lighthouse than any of the others I've seen. Although I have personally visited and photographed over 300 lighthouses in the United States and three Provinces in Canada, the Umpqua River Lighthouse has special meaning for me. That Lighthouse inspired me to write two fictional books with the characters working, living, and enduring the challenges of lighthouse keeping. All pictures posted in this blog were taken by myself, unless noted otherwise.

Book Info.

I hope you will find time to enjoy my books. Preview the book covers below at the right side of page.

Book #1: "The Wickie and the Umpqua Lighthouse." Detail: "The Wickie and the Umpqua Lighthouse" is an 1860's story about the lighthouse keepers and their families at the Umpqua River Lighthouse. It will stir your emotions and warm your heart. Discover the challenges they met but never expected, and their determination to maintain navigational aid to mariners on the Oregon coast. (Wickie is a nickname used by the early lighthouse keepers at the Umpqua River Lighthouse in OR.)

Book #2: "Spirit of The Lighthouse" is a sequel to The Wickie. Detail: Jesse Fayette, assistant keeper at the Umpqua River Lighthouse, finds himself alone to operate and maintain an Oregon lighthouse after the accidental death of his head keeper. After notifying the Lighthouse Board and requesting help, he is surprised but must deal with an acquaintance, Red Saunders, who believes the lighthouse is haunted.

Book #3: "Unexpected Moments" has a different theme than those of Book #1 and #2. Detail: Dan and Megan, as well as their old friends Jim and Anna, experience unexpected moments of hardships and tragedies in Arizona and California. Will they survive these unexpected moments and find any hope for their futures?

All of my books are available on Amazon.

28 August 2014

Georgia Beauty - St. Simons Island Lighthouse

Plans for a lighthouse on St. Simons Island started in 1804 with the purchase of four acres of land by the Federal government at a cost of $1. The land was the site for building the first lighthouse and a one-story residence. Originally, that 1810 lighthouse was to be built of hard brick; however, for economic purposes, most of the material used in the construction was "tabby," a mixture of oyster shell, lime, sand, and water. The tower was built to a height of 75-feet, exclusive of the lantern. An iron lantern, 10-feet high and 8-feet in diameter, was installed on top of the tower making that tower a total height of 85-feet. During the Civil War, the lighthouse was blown up by Confederate forces in 1862 to prevent its use by Federal troops.

In 1872 a second lighthouse was constructed. Pictured above. The lantern room houses the original third-order Fresnel lens from the first lighthouse. Its light shines 18 miles out to sea. This 104-foot tower has a cast-iron spiral staircase consisting of 129-steps. The adjacent keeper's dwelling was constructed in a unique Victorian design. This lighthouse is located at 101 12th Street on the Island of St. Simons, GA.

The lighthouse was placed under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939. The light was automated in 1953 and shortly thereafter the last lighthouse keeper retired.

At the time of my visit here in 2000, the keeper's dwelling was owned by Glynn County, and all structures were maintained and operated by the Coastal GA Historical Society. The lighthouse continued under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard. It was open to the public and a fee charged for entry.

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