Now, of course, lighthouse keeping wasn’t lounging around. Compare that to $13 per month for a Union private during the war officers made a little more. In the latter half of the 19th Century, an American lighthouse keeper made about $800-$1,000 dollars per year, received some food supplies, and had a roof over his head. A strong sense of duty and attention to details – similar to some of the roles in the military – was required, and for some Union veterans it was a relatively easy transition from soldier to lightkeeper. He had to serve faithfully as a keeper according to the Board’s rules and the Inspector’s approval. If he received the job, the post wasn’t guaranteed by military service, political party, or patronage. The uniform might have helped, but the man would have to meet the requirements for keeper or assistant keeper outlined by the U.S. However, just being a Union veteran didn’t guarantee a job as a lighthouse keeper. For some, it was just the opportunity they wanted.ģ. For others, they needed a more stable job as the decades past and they grew older.Īs a way to say “thank you for your service” and “vote the way we’d like,” government jobs were offered or reserved for Union veterans. Others didn’t have “roots” in one place and looked for a steady job and a place to settle down. Others simply didn’t want to return to their communities for a variety of reasons. As the Union armies mustered out, not all those men had jobs to return to and started looking for work, land, or new opportunities. The American Civil War (1861-1865) had created a job (soldiering) for many men. However, unlike some of the other jobs, lighthouse keeping tended to be based on merit rather than political party, making it a more stable position.Ī Civil War veteran wearing a Grand Army of the Republic badge. Government owned the American lighthouses and oversaw their administration thus a lighthouse keeper was a government employee. Many were granted in a patronage system as a result of political favor, leading to job turnover as political control changed in a district. In the 19th Century, local, state, or federal government jobs offered steady income and opportunity. Here are eight things to consider about lighthouses and veteran lighthouse keepers after 1865 and how I was able to incorporate some of the details into the historical novel: It’s another unique tie between maritime history and the Civil War. As I worked on research for Lighthouse Loyalty, I was surprised to find Civil War veterans taking jobs at lighthouse keepers. In many ways, lightkeeping could have been a perfect job for a Union veteran, even if he had been injured during the war.
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