Photo Caption:
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Wilhelm Baumgartner, who was the head keeper at California’s Point Cabrillo Lighthouse from 1909 to 1923, is shown here driving an early horseless carriage on the streets of Mendocino, California. Mr. Baumgartner was born on February 20, 1863, in the territory of Baden on the border of Germany and Switzerland. He immigrated to the United States in 1882. In 1902, he secured the position of 3rd assistant keeper at California’s dangerous St. George Reef Lighthouse and was promoted to 2nd assistant keeper in 1904, a position he held until 1905. He was then transferred and promoted to 1st assistant keeper at California’s Farallon Island Lighthouse. In 1907, he secured a transfer to the Point Conception Lighthouse, where he served until 1909 when he was promoted to head keeper at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. (Photo, Lighthouse Digest archives, courtesy Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers Association, Baumgartner Family Collection)
Back to the edition of: May/Jun 2022
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