Back in May 2019, in “Kaptain’s Korner #19,” we told you about the career of James Burke, who was a light keeper in Maine and New Hampshire from 1886 to 1919. After he retired in 1919, Burke opened a small fish and bait shop on Broadway near York Beach, Maine, not far from his last station, Cape Neddick “Nubble” Light. Judging by the photo below, the store also sold ice cream, cold soda, and , surprisingly, real estate.
Left: James Burke
The former store still stands, now on private property. Owner Herb Carpenter is commemorating James Burke and his store with a new interpretive sign, to be installed later this year. Thanks to Mr. Carpenter, a piece of local lighthouse history is being well cared for.
Jeremy D’Entremont is the author of more than 20 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He is the president and historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation and founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and he has lectured and narrated cruises throughout the Northeast and in other regions. He is also the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society podcast, “Light Hearted.” He can be emailed at Jeremy@uslhs.org