Biographical note

Arminda Bates was born in Florence, OR, in 1878, the daughter of lighthouse keepers Samuel and Perpetua Bates. The family relocated to Pinesdale, OR, in 1888 to escape the perpetual dampness. Arminda attended the Academy of the Pines and the College of the Pines, graduating in 1899. After additional education at Columbia University in New York, she became the College’s first professional librarian in 1901, and held that post until 1916. She then married Arthur Fix, a lighthouse keeper, and served with him for the remainder of their careers at the Coquille River Lighthouse in Bandon, OR. They had no children. With the lighthouse’s proximity to town, she took an active role in developing the public library. She died in Bandon in 1963.

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