A woman lived for free on a tiny island for a year (4 photos + 1 video)

In the midst of a pandemic, Desiree Heveroch became a lighthouse keeper, taking on the responsibility of preserving the lighthouse and spending an unforgettable year there. However, life on the island turned out to be not only romantic, but also difficult.





In 2020, Desiree Heveroch received a unique opportunity. The woman became a lighthouse keeper on the East Brother Light Station island in San Francisco Bay. The tiny island, which is home to one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the United States, became her home for a whole year.

In complete isolation, without rent and with minimal amenities, the American woman went through difficult trials of loneliness and even survived two months without electricity.



The East Brother Lighthouse was built in 1873 and served as an important navigation point for ships crossing the stormy waters of the Gulf. In the late 1960s, the US Coast Guard automated the station and planned to demolish the lighthouse, but thanks to the efforts of local residents, the historic building was saved. In 1971, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and soon a non-profit organization took up its restoration. Since then, the lighthouse has become a tourist center, attracting travelers and lovers of maritime history.





Heweroch first saw the lighthouse while on a trip with her daughter. That chance glimpse of a house in the middle of the water piqued her interest and she decided to learn more about the place. A few years later, she became a volunteer and began helping with the restoration of the island buildings. When the COVID-19 pandemic closed the boarding house on the island in 2020 and the lighthouse keepers were forced to leave, she volunteered her services. She had no permanent home and her dream of working on the island had finally become a reality.

Life on the lighthouse turned out to be not only romantic, but also challenging. The hardest part was the two-month power outage due to damaged underwater cables. The only source of power was an old diesel generator from the 1930s, which often broke down.

"I learned how to replace its starter and could tell by the smell when something was wrong," recalls Heveroh. The American even used flour and baking soda to clean up fuel spilled from the generator.



Another problem was food storage. She developed an ice rotation system to keep supplies fresh and also grew her own vegetables and herbs.

On May 28, after two months without power, volunteers were able to temporarily restore power. However, the US Coast Guard has no plans to replace the damaged cable due to the high cost, instead considering installing solar panels.

After her stay, Heveroh returned to the mainland, but admits that the lighthouse will always remain in her heart.

"Every day was different: sunsets, wildlife. It was like living in a bubble filled with wonder," she shares.