September 20, 2005
Point Lookout Lighthouse Newsletter #3
Welcome to the third edition of the Point Lookout Lighthouse newsletter.
The Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society held its 3rd annual Maryland Lighthouse Challenge, in conjunction with challenges held by the New Jersey Lighthouse Society and the Long Island Lighthouse Society. The event was another great success this year, with 616 total participants on Saturday and 279 on Sunday. The top two questions were: why are there so many holes and do you plan to restore the lighthouse. Laura and I met another descendent of the Yeatman family and hope to glean additional insight into the Yeatman’s tenure at Point Lookout. (William Yeatman served as keeper from 1871 until his death in 1908; his son, also named William Yeatman, served as assistant keeper from 1931 until his retirement in 1939). We also met Pam Peterson, who lived in the lighthouse during the summer of 1976 when she worked as a lifeguard at Point Lookout. We look forward to interviewing Pam about her experiences during that summer. Little is known about the occupants of the lighthouse after it was decommissioned in 1966.
The Second Annual Spirits of Point Lookout (formerly called Ghost Walk) will be held on Friday, October 28th and Saturday October 29th. The event will focus on the Point Lookout State Park and the Civil War era, and is being hosted by the Kiwanis; for more information, visit the Kiwanis website at: http://www.stmaryskiwanis.org/2005Spirits.html In answer to one of the most often asked questions: the lighthouse will not be included in the Spirits of Point Lookout. Be sure to get your tickets early, as this event often sells out very quickly.
Mark your calendars for the Point Lookout Lighthouse Annual Open House 2005, to be held on the first weekend of November. Hours are scheduled to be 10 am to 4 pm, on Saturday November 5th and Sunday November 6th. Please be careful when touring the lighthouse; parents should watch their children carefully as there are several off limit areas that can be very dangerous. At last year’s event, a child entered an attic area and lost his footing, leaving a large hole in the ceiling! Luckily, the unknown child was not injured but could have easily fallen thru the ceiling to the next floor.
The lighthouse remains in great shape on the outside; however, the interior is the same as it has been for the last 10 years. Progress has been made on the official transfer of the property to DNR, so keep your fingers crossed that the transition can be completed soon, so that renovations can restore this majestic lighthouse to its former glory. Please note that previous legitimate news releases from 2002 (including the one listed on this website in the news section) that indicated the lighthouse was officially transferred to the State of Maryland, were inaccurate.
Be sure the visit the website for some recent updates! Family members of keeper Zadock Sturgis have supplied many new pictures. In addition, a new interview with Paul Sturgis, Zadock’s youngest son, has been added to the miscellaneous section. Paul describes what it was like growing up at the lighthouse in the 1940s and 50s.
We hope you had a great summer and hope to see you at the Open House in November!