A keeper's dwelling was constructed in 1821 and thought to have been completed in 1822. There is little known about this original dwelling. Jason Fuller recorded in his logbook in 1846 that it was painted and whitewashed and a gutter was made for the front of the dwelling. In 1857, the existing keeper's dwelling, designed by District Engineer William B. Franklin, was constructed. Its architectural style was described as 1.5 story, wood-frame, cottage (attached) with dimensions of 34 feet x 18' porch, and connected to the tower by a 45 foot covered way. An early photograph of this dwelling shows the outside to be dark in color with vertical siding of board and batten. There was two brick chimneys on the back of house, a small window in the roof , and windows that had six over six panes. On December 11, 1886, six men; masons and carpenters, arrived at Burnt Island to renovate the dwelling and build a brick cistern. The wing to the dwelling was lathed, back-plastered and plastered, and a chimney and partitions were built in it, adding a kitchen, entry, and pantry. The floor plan of the dwelling changed in 1903, when it was extensively remodeled. A center chimney replaced two rear chimneys and the stairs were moved from the center of the house to winding stairs at the front corner of the house. Rear dormers were added to the second floor and a twenty-seven foot piazza was added to the front of the house. On December 31, 1951, the front dormer, housing a bathroom, was added to the dwelling. Several septic systems were installed over the years until a treatment plant, covered by a huge pressure treated deck, was placed above ground in the late 1970's. During the summer of 1984, new pine clapboard siding was placed on the house and covered walkway, along with new exterior windows and doors. Renovations were also done to the kitchen to include new cabinets, sink, and appliances. |
