A tradition will soon be reborn on Thacher Island
by Jose Martinez
Saturday, May 5, 2001 (Boston Herald)
For the first time in nearly a decade, keepers soon will return to Thacher Island off Rockport to resume their centuries old watch over the island's lighthouses.
``This will be our year of getting started again,'' former keeper Dottie Carroll, 80, said yesterday. ``There hasn't been a keeper out there since '92. No vandalism, either, which we are very proud of. It's just not an easy place to get out to.''
George and Dottie Carroll of Rockport were the last keepers to live on Thacher Island, 3 miles out of Rockport Harbor. Contrary to the historical image of lonely lighthouse keepers, the Carrolls had goats, dogs, cats and plenty of visitors to keep them company.
``Every day was an adventure,'' she said. ``We never knew what was going to happen next.''
The first lighthouse went up on Thacher Island in 1771 but was replaced by the twin 124-foot towers of granite in 1861. Thacher's beacons now are automated, with the south tower using solar panels to power its flashing red light. The north tower's amber lamp is electric and visible nine miles out to sea.
Volunteers began tending to the island's eight walking trails and 10-room home in 1981, shortly after the Coast Guard stopped manning the lighthouses at the northern and southern tips of Thacher Island.
But a storm wiped out the island's landing ramp in 1992, ending the volunteer keeper tradition. Over the last five years, the Carrolls and other volunteers have made occasional trips out to Thacher Island to keep up with repairs. Last fall, the boat ramp was replaced.
The Coast Guard has yet to approve the new boat ramp or to finalize giving the town its two-thirds of the 52-acre island. The other third of Thacher Island is owned by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, the Thacher Island Association and Rockport's Thacher Island Committee already have lined up a corps of volunteers to begin staffing the island again within weeks, the Carrolls said.
