White River Lighthouse, MI, photo by Chuck Turk
Splash!
“Help! Somebody please help!”
Frances’ Johnson jerked her head away from the lantern window she’d been cleaning and looked toward the sound of the cries. She quickly assessed the situation, all too familiar now that the weather was warmer.
Frances ran down the lighthouse steps and out to the channel where women screamed and pointed at a child floundering in the water. Frances dove in and lifted the child, swimming back with it until she could hand him up to the arms of the panicked adults.
She climbed out and seeing that the child was all right, pointed her finger at the adults.
“This water is deep! You need to keep an eye on your children. Good thing I was here or they could’ve been swept out Lake Michigan.”
White River Lighthouse, courtesy Michigan archives
Frances Wuori Johnson was keeper at the White River Lighthouse on Lake Michigan at the entrance of the channel to White Lake. She first lived at the lighthouse when she married Leo Wuori, the keeper in 1944. Frances loved the lighthouse and quickly adapted to helping her husband with his lightkeeping chores. The weights that rotated the light had to be wound each day. In addition, the brass and silver of the lantern had to be polished daily and the outside windows had to be cleaned.
Frances also had to keep the lighthouse dwelling spotless for inspection, cleaning and polishing the wood floors, as well as, normal household chores of cooking, laundry, etc. In her free time, Frances swam daily, a habit developed her strength. During the summer months when tourists flocked to Lake Michigan, Frances’ swimming muscles were tested. Once when rescuing a heavy woman, Frances almost had to knock her unconscious to get her back to safety.
Afterwards, the woman complained about Frances’ roughness with her to which Frances replied, “Well, it was either that or let you die.”
Frances Wuori Johnson
When Frances’ husband decided to retire from the Coast Guard, they moved away from the lighthouse. Unfortunately, the couple decided to divorce at the same time. Frances hated leaving her beloved lighthouse, but told the area inspector that if the position of keeper was ever offered to civilians to keep her in mind. He did, and she was hired to be the keeper in 1949. At that time, there were few keepers left, due to the automation of lighthouses, and fewer women. In fact, when Frances retired from lighthouse keeping, she was the last woman keeper of any U.S. lighthouses.
Frances’s work and hobby developed her strength, and as a result, many were saved.
Sometimes we don’t realize that our experiences or strengths will be beneficial to others. Why not look for ways you can use yours to help someone else?
“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” Proverbs 31:17
I wonder if that ungrateful, heavy woman complained out of embarrassment. When I had to “rescue” a large person as the final in a life-saving class, I managed to keep him from dragging me down. I wore a swim suit. If Frances was wearing a dress, that would have made her task all the more difficult.
You’re right, Terri. And I’m sure she was wearing a dress. I, too, had to rescue a large man in my senior lifesaving class. I thought I would drown, but fortunately, he cooperated and didn’t put up much of a fight.
I came across your enjoyable blog after watching an episode of the vintage game show, “What’s My Line” on Youtube. The first contestant was Frances Johnson! I wanted to find out more about her—it was fun to see your blog.. I love learning more about women who were lighthouse keepers, and it was interesting to find out she was the last of those dedicated ladies. Thank you for posting about her here.
Hi Linda, I’m glad you found my site! What a coincidence! She was one tough lady. Thanks for your comment.
Mrs Johnson was a contestant on the May 17, 1953 What’s my line show. It’s on YouTube.
Unfortunately, it has still not reopened. Their Facebook page said it would reopen in 2022. Well, 2023 is almost over and the lighthouse is still not open. I wonder what the holdup is?