Wood Island Lighthouse: Maritime History, Human Drama, and Community Preservation

Key Quotes

"the keeper on his day off went ashore to one of the local watering houses in old orchard beach and was pickpocketed the keeper a man named edwin tarbox rushed to the local police and sent them after the robbers the police sprang into action they caught up with the pickpockets and gave edwin his stuff back but then one of the pickpockets turned to edwin he launched a curse and he said to you and yours to all who ever occupy your accursed island there shall come a blight and so sure enough keep your tarbox returned to the island and the next day there was this terrible storm and there were stories that waves were coming over the island washing away the trees slamming rocks up against the trees and after that the island was basically denuded"

Richard Parsons, author of Wood Island Lighthouse, explains the origin of a local legend attributing the island's deforestation to a curse. This story highlights how folklore can emerge from real-life events, in this case, a theft and its dramatic aftermath. Parsons details how the curse supposedly manifested as a severe storm that stripped the island of its trees.

"for the last two decades they have been restoring and renovating this 200 year old lighthouse making sure it can survive another 200 years and we'll talk about that work later but first first we should mention why lighthouses are so important in maine the state has more than 3 000 miles of craggy winding shoreline that is more shore by the way than much bigger states like texas and california navigating this coast even in good weather can be tricky but during a blustery new england storm it is downright dangerous and you needed lighthouses to keep maritime traffic flowing safely"

George Bruns, head of the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, emphasizes the critical role lighthouses played in Maine's maritime economy. Bruns explains that Maine's extensive and challenging coastline necessitated these beacons for safe navigation. He highlights that lighthouses were essential for industries like fishing and shipping, particularly during severe weather.

"over time sailor learned how to grab the rope of the fog bell in his mouth and ring it one day orket's family was inside the house when a boat came by and tooted its horn sailor ran out to ring the fog bell the family waited but sailor came back in about a minute and had not rung the bell orket sent the dog back out and once again sailor the dog came back in this time looking a little forlorn orket was annoyed now he sent sailor back out again this time sailor came back with a chunk of rope in his mouth alerting orket and the family that the rope that he normally would use to ring the bell had broken somehow"

Richard Parsons recounts the story of Sailor, a lighthouse dog famous for his ability to ring the fog bell. Parsons details how Sailor's intelligence and dedication were demonstrated when he alerted the keeper to a broken rope by bringing back a piece of it. This anecdote illustrates the unique bond and practical contributions animals could have in isolated lighthouse communities.

"hobbs went back to the hen house and grabbed his rifle then he and milliken started wrestling over the gun and it went off milliken was lying there bleeding hobbs started freaking out he ran to the other end of the island and alerted the keeper our old friend thomas orket by the time hobbs ran back milliken was dead hobbs so distraught over what he had done took his rifle went back to the hennery and shot himself"

Richard Parsons describes a tragic murder-suicide that occurred on Wood Island in 1896. Parsons explains that the incident involved two renters of a converted hen house, leading to a fatal struggle over a rifle. He notes that the perpetrator, Howard Hobbs, then took his own life out of distress.

"all lighthouses have ghosts though i have to tell you along with the many ghosts there were still lighthouse keepers living and working at wood island until 1986 that's when the coast guard decided the light could be automated and the rest of the property was essentially abandoned it stayed that way for about two decades until 2003 this was around when george got involved and i went in response to an ad in the newspaper that said we want to restore this lighthouse and we're having a public meeting if you'd like to come and and and hear us talk about it"

George Bruns discusses the transition of Wood Island Lighthouse from manned operation to automation. Bruns explains that keepers worked there until 1986 when the Coast Guard automated the light, leading to the property's abandonment. He then describes how the lighthouse was nearly lost until a public meeting in 2003 sparked efforts to restore it.