The Atlas Obscura Podcast · Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Shortly after Richard Etheridge was appointed keeper of the P.I. Island Life-Saving Station in 1880, the station burned down, an act of arson believed to have been carried out by his white cousins. These cousins were allegedly seeking better positions within the Life-Saving Service and resented Etheridge's appointment.
“And then, shortly after Richard's appointment, the station of this all-black crew burned down.”
“Turns out that the arsonists were his cousins.”
“So, when the life-saving service came from DC and investigated, it turns out that it was these two cousins who were very likely had been responsible for the fire that set it.”