LAMP LIGHTER LOUIS at TURN POINT

Light Keeper Louis A. Borchers
(1867-1923)
Turn Point Lightstation,
Stuart Island, 
San Juan Archipelago, WA.
Gelatin-silver photograph from the archives 
of the Saltwater People Historical Society©

Mr. Louis A. Borchers, born in San Francisco, was employed in the Lighthouse service for twenty-five years, twenty-one of those years at Turn Point Light in the San Juan Archipelago, Washington. 

He was an enthusiastic photographer of ships and marine scenes and had a collection of photographs that included nearly every vessel that regularly operated via the Haro Strait route. The international shipping lanes were right below him. The photographs included here were from the camera in the above photograph. 

Possibly a driftwood dugout canoe 
aboard Turn Point Light Station grounds,
planted with flowers by the keeper 
Louis A. Borchers
On station at this Light for 21 years
of his career.
Original gelatin-silver photograph by Louis,
 from the archives of the 
Saltwater People Historical Society©

Photograph notated in ink
by the Keeper  
and photographer, Mr. Borchers, 
"Fog signal and light, Turn Point."
Stuart Island, San Juan Archipelago, WA.
He made this into a photo postcard
& mailed it from Prevost, WA, in 1907.
From the archives of the 
Saltwater People Historical Society©

He also had great beds of red carnations on the grounds surrounding the lighthouse and kept his friends liberally supplied with flowers during the spring and summer. With the climate zone of Stuart Island, he grew a Lemon tree, which must have shared inside quarters in the winter. The huge fruit from the tree he used in pies to delight his family and neighbors. He was also known for sharing strawberry desserts and for his skill in canning salmon. 

When he passed away his ashes were scattered on the waters of Puget Sound from the bridge of the Lighthouse tender Heather. 

Please note that the photos in this post are originals in the archives of the Saltwater People Historical Society and not for lifting, thank you.