In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, three lighthouse keepers lived together in a small, isolated community at Yaquina Head. Two married keepers lived with their families, and one bachelor keeper lived alone. The keepers worked hard tending the lamp at night and maintaining the light station in spotless order during the day. While keepers polished, cleaned, and repaired the facilities, their families busied themselves with tending the garden and livestock and completing schoolwork. The daily routine was periodically interrupted by holidays, trips to Newport, fierce storms, and visits from lighthouse inspectors. In June 1879, an inspector arriving on the supply boat Shubrick reported that the station was in fine condition in regard to the light and the principal keeper's dwelling, but found negligence and want of care in the second assistant's quarters; five days later, second assistant John G. Dutches left the station and sent in his resignation. Beginning in 1912, lighthouse keepers earned pins for meeting efficiency standards, as the U.S. Light-House Service strictly regulated their duties and daily routines and conducted unannounced inspections.