D
esiree Heveroh spent a year living rent-free on East Brother Light Station, one of the oldest continuously operating lighthouses in the US, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The station is located on a tiny island where the San Francisco and San Pablo bays meet.
Heveroh took on the role of caretaker, managing daily operations entirely by herself. She learned how to operate the station's boat from experienced Bay Area boat captain Jared Ward, who also taught her waste disposal techniques.
The East Brother Light Station was built in 1873 as a critical aid for ships navigating the choppy straits. For nearly a century, keepers maintained it manually before automation in the late 1960s. The local community saved the historic landmark from demolition and formed a nonprofit to restore its buildings.
Heveroh's connection with the island began when she spotted the lighthouse while driving with her daughter years ago. She spent several years researching the property and volunteering, eventually working part-time on the island doing marketing for the location. Her opportunity to become caretaker arose in 2020 when the pandemic forced the island's B&B to shut down.
Heveroh volunteered to move onto the island despite having no idea how long she would be needed there. She faced challenges such as a two-month power outage caused by failed submarine cables, which left her relying on a 1930s-era generator for warmth and light. The generator proved unreliable, but Heveroh learned to maintain it.
She devised creative solutions to keep food cold and grew her own vegetables and herbs during the power outage. After two long months, volunteers spliced the damaged cable as a temporary solution, restoring power on May 28.
The US Coast Guard is hesitant to replace the $1 million cable due to its high cost, but solar panels have been proposed as an alternative. Heveroh's time on the island left her with unforgettable memories and a deep appreciation for life without electricity.
During her residency, she raised awareness about the light station and its importance. After returning to the island for the first time since ending her caretaker role in a YouTube video, Heveroh expressed joy at seeing it filled with visitors once again.
