East Brother

History of an Island Light Station

by Thomas K. Butt and Frank Perry

 

Book Details

Popular history book on rebirth of East Brother Lighthouse updated

East Brother Island is the location of one of America’s best preserved Victorian-style light stations. First lighted in 1874, the lighthouse still guides mariners across San Francisco Bay. Since 1980 the lighthouse has been open to the public, both for day visits and as a bed and breakfast inn.

This book traces the fascinating history of East Brother from the 1870s to the present. In part it is a story of changing lighthouse technology. But more importantly, it is a story of people: from the faithful keepers and their families who lived on the island through the many years, to the many volunteers who more recently helped restore the station after ten years of neglect.

At first publication, the author had been studying the history of California’s lighthouses for six years. This was his third book, the second on the history of a lighthouse.