Gay Head Cliffs in the town of Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard are so spectacular that they make it to the bucket list. The popularity of the colorful cliffs and the Gay Head Lighthouse is nothing new. One light keeper, according to a newspaper article, retired on disability due to "visitor-itis!"
Tourists probably weren’t a concern during the service of Gay Head's assistant female light keeper, Lydia Adams. There were no roads for easy access to the lighthouse during her term, 1869-71. She had other priorities.
Lydia Adams was responsible for the Gay Head Lighthouse in the absence of the Head Light Keeper, Horacio Pease. Adams also shared the workload. Keepers ensured that Lights were punctually lit at sunset and kept burning until sunrise. The lens and lantern were cleaned daily. A watch book was kept when there was more than one keeper. The events of the day were recorded.
Rescuing distressed vessels was also a part of the job. The Gay Head Lighthouse was built in 1799 to warn mariners about the treacherous, submerged obstructions called the “Devil’s Bridge.”