Among the many historic lighthouses on the Chesapeake coastline, the Turkey Point Lighthouse has a lengthy background of women keeping the light burning.  Of the lighthouse’s 114 years of service, 86 were led by women.  

Located in Elk Neck, in Cecil County, Turkey Point was built in 1833.  The tower was constructed at a pivotal point on the coastline, marking a necessary change in a mariner’s course.  Sailers coming from the Chesapeake Bay would use the Elk River to eventually make their way to the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal.

Elkneck Turkey Point Lighthouse

To mark the last week of Women’s History Month, let’s recognize the four remarkable women to take the lead at Turkey Point Lighthouse.

The first woman took the lead at the tower in 1844.  Elizabeth Lusby, a born and raised Cecil County resident, became Principal Lighthouse keeper after the death of her husband.  She was responsible for the tower for 18 years, until her own death.

The next women were a mother and daughter pair, Rebecca L. Crouch and Georgiana S. Brumfield.  In a similar situation, Rebecca took up the torch following her husband’s passing with her daughter assisting.  Rebecca served as lightkeeper for 20 years, and upon her death was recognized as a pillar of her community.

A quote from her obituary reads, “For fifty-four years the force of her religious life and womanly character has been felt in that community.”  Georgiana’s tenure as primary lightkeeper was equally as lengthy at 24 years, though she lived 54 years of her life at the Turkey Point Lighthouse.

The last serving woman to be lightkeeper, at Turkey Point and in the United States, Fannie Mae Salter.  Fannie applied to fill her husband’s position after he passed but was denied due to her age.  She later received approval in 1925 personally from President Calvin Coolidge and served for 22 years.  After her retirement she moved just 6 miles away from the lighthouse and was able to see the light every night for the rest of her life.

If you would like your county featured in Fun Facts, please get in touch with Abbey Duncan at aduncan@mdcounties.org.