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Station Cape Canaveral actually established in 1848, with a 60-foot wooden structure and Winslow Lewis Reflectors, Mariners could not see the light and it was declared ineffective and replaced by the existing conical tower of 145-feet, made of cast iron plate with brick lining on a brick foundation. Oddly, the lighthouse silhouette resembles a rocket, (which was surely not planned), when the tower was authorized in 1860 but construction was delayed because of the Civil War. The tower was moved one-mile from the shore to her present location in 1894. Cape Canaveral Lighthouse was long standing prior to the Space Act signed into office by President Eisenhower 90-years after the historic light cast her first beam.

Her original optic was a First Order Fresnel Lens, lit for the first time in 1968. In 1960, her light was automated, and then replaced in 1993 with a DCB-224 Optic with a focal plane of 137-feet. The First Order "Henry Lepaute" Lens is on display at the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse Museum. Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is included in District 7 of the United States Coast Guard, serving as an Active Aid to Navigation.

The Keepers Quarters are in ruins as well as the Oil House, but a concrete block storage building remains nearby. There is no Sound Signal building. The United States Air Force owns this historic lighthouse with the United States Coast Guard having access for maintenance of the optic.

Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is located on the grounds of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center, approximately 15-minutes from Titusville. Private vehicles are not allowed on this government property and you must have at least one valid photo identification in order to obtain entry at this facility. Access to the lighthouse is restricted. There is a 3-hour tour, "Cape Canaveral Then and Now", that will transport people by bus through the expansive acreage that passes by the lighthouse - have your camera ready, view of the lighthouse will be from the left side of the bus and well worth the trip, which provides several stops at strategic and historical locations from the USA Space Act.

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

Established 1860
Loxahatchee & Indian River Junction
Visited September 9, 2007

Traveling South on I-95, then East on 706, continuing South on US-1 will lead you to the perfect scene of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, giving way to enchantment with the final approach to this lighthouse. The breathtaking scene will encourage wheels to stop, allowing cameras to work capturing the splendor of her beauty at a distance, before returning to the road and onto the property where accessibility had no boundaries. In front of a large wooden building a sign proudly proclaimed the grounds operated by the Loxahatchee Lighthouse Society and to the right, the flag of the United States of America enjoyed the calm of the day, while white puffy clouds gently moved across the vividly blue sky. In front of the flagpole, a sign proclaimed the following:

World War II U.S. Naval Housing Building The U.S. Navy constructed this building (Cica 1939) on land and it was included in the Federal Jupiter Lighthouse Reservation as established by President Franklin Pierce in 1854. Built as Married Men's Quarters, the two-story wood-frame building, had six two-bedroom apartments, each with brick fireplaces, and a continuous screened first-floor porch facing the inlet. During World War II, Navy personnel lived in this building, and in the then adjacent Transmitter and Dormitory building and the Chief Petty Officers' Quarters. These three buildings were part of the Direction Finding Station built on the reservation known as Station "J." Developed to locate the German submarines torpedoing ships off the Florida coast. Station J also served as a navigational beacon for military ships and aircraft, and for communications during the war. Station J was closed in July 1945, and starting in 1958, most of the World War II military wood-frame structures including the two adjacent buildings, were demolished. In 1960s, the Navy gave the portion of the Reservation, including this building, to the U.S. Coast Guard. In 2004, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management transferred ownership of this portion of the Reservation to the town of Jupiter. A Florida Heritage Landmark Sponsored by the Town of Jupiter And the Florida Department of State 2005

Turning to the right, facing alongside the building, a ramp invited wheels to join walkers into the past and present with a visit to the museum and gift shop (completely accessible) inside the building. Outside on the porch, people gathered to join the tour to the top of the hill where one of the most amazing journeys unfolded while being captured on film.

Tour guides often provide many details about lighthouses but seldom does one find an exceptional host willing to serve beyond the call of duty with eye contact throughout the tour when there are several persons attending the same tour. Here at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, an interesting and rather challenging climb began shortly after meeting Chris McKnight, Assistant Lighthouse Manager, who began his trek to the top of the hill while facing the crowd every step of the way. Having been to hundreds of lighthouses, on dozens of tours, never was there a more gracious host in our travels.

The walkway of particular interest, transition smooth for safety, loaned names of persons remembered, dedicated, and preserved in memory. This walkway continued to the top of the hill with bricks delicately placed, helped provide funding for the Society to continue a variety of on-going preservation, ground keeping, and numerous requirements for continued access to this historic lighthouse.

A large Banyan tree gracefully shaded what could well be described as an outdoor patio or sitting area below the gleaming white stairs to the entrance of the lighthouse, where inside, the original staircase to the observation deck winded in a circular motion to the lantern room.

This conical shaped lighthouse was built on a foundation of oyster shells with brick materials bringing her tower height to 108-feet. She was first lit in 1860, and continues to serve as an Active Aid to Navigation with the original optic, a "Henry Lapaute" First Order, Revolving Fresnel Lens, automated in 1987, with a focal plane of 146-feet.

The original Keepers Quarters were burned in 1927. The oil house and cemetery are located on the grounds. The red brick of the lighthouse is easily seen at a distance and has a black base and black lantern room housing the famous optic. To her fortune, and that of many admirers, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse has never had to be moved.

While a gentle breeze could be felt below the lighthouse, huge puffy clouds swiftly crossed over the tower and loaned only a few moments for another individual to capture the scene of the authentic staircase and interesting view taken immediately below the tower while wheels stayed in the patio area below the steps. Later focusing on the lantern room, capturing the historic Fresnel lens from an unobstructed distance, brought reality up close.

On the return down the bricked path, an authentic Pennock Plantation Bell was caught within the lens of the camera and saving possibly the best for last, the community at play along the beautiful river of which Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse watched over.

Hillsboro Inlet Light Station

Established 1907
North Side Hillsboro Inlet, Pompano Beach
Visited September 9, 2007

Returning East on Highway 706 to I-95 South, exiting on Hillsboro Boulevard (Highway 810) and traveling East to the Beach Access Road, (A1A), will lead you directly to Hillsboro Inlet Park for a fantastic view of this lighthouse. Or you can simply take a leisurely drive South along A1A to reach the park.

During a short rainstorm, the markings and pattern were clearly defined with the lower third of the tower white in color and upper portion in black of the Hillsboro Inlet Light Station. The Coast Guard property was clearly visible on the opposite side of the shore.

Built on iron piling with iron construction for a tower height of 137-feet, this octagonal skeletal with a cylinder began with a "Barbier, Benard et Turenne" lens, later disposed and eventually put back into operation. A Second Order Bivalve Fresnel lens was installed in 1907 allowing a Focal Plane of 136-feet. The optic remains operational as an Aid to Navigation and was automated in 1974. The tower has never been moved from the day she was first built, but there is no existing Sound Signal building.

Existing Keepers Quarters are separate from the tower and were constructed in 1907. The Keepers Quarters are a wood frame, one and a half story wood frame building currently used as United States Coast Guard Housing and a Guest House. During the same year, a wood frame garage, recreation quarters, and a frame crews' barracks were built. In 1942, a generator building was built. All of the buildings are separate from the tower and there is no existing Sound Signal building. The property is owned and managed by the United States Coast Guard and is not open to the public.

Cape Florida Lighthouse

Established in 1846
Southernmost Point on Key Biscayne
Visited September 10, 2007

One of the more remarkable things discovered were the former staircase and lantern room made of steel immediately upon entering the grounds, located on the right side of the path. These authentic relics provided greater insight to persons who would not be able to climb the stairs to the top of the tower.

Interesting self-tours are found at the Cape Florida Lighthouse, but for deeper insight and educational venture with a guide from the State Park, arrangements may be easily made. We choose the later, which again proved to be extremely worthwhile with exposure to areas of interest that otherwise would possibly not be learned with having Gustavo A. Mecklenburg, Park Ranger, Florida Park Service, accompany us through the historic grounds where the lighthouse stood in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

From there the path led to an exploding scene at the far end of the walkway, lined by coconut trees, lending an exciting tropical view of Cape Florida Lighthouse at the far end at the edge of the water.

This tower replaced an earlier tower built in 1825, later torn down for the construction of the existing tower. For over a hundred and sixty years, this tower has remained situated at the Southernmost Point on Key Biscayne and from the way she appeared, she was not about to be moved with foundation materials of brick on a coral reef and built with brick. The conical shaped tower is 95-feet tall, whitewashed over red brick and has a black top.

Inside the tower, steel stairs painted black lead to the observation deck and lantern room. Height of the Focal Plane is 100-feet.

Historical information explains Cape Florida Lighthouse as originally having seventeen Argrand Lamps with 21-inch Reflectors for an optic as an Aid to Navigation originally installed in 1846, but deactivated in 1878. The slightly confusing history provides information of a Second Order Fresnel Lens installed in 1855 and apparently working until 1978, but also shows automation of the lens in the same year, deactivated from 1990 until 1996, when a 300 MM optic was installed and continues to serve as an operational Private Aid to Navigation.

Additional history explains the property was attacked by Seminole Indians and extinguished from 1836 until 1846. The tower was heightened an additional 40-feet In 1855 and the United States Coast Guard relit the tower in 1978 and apparently kept her lit until 1990. The original Lantern was replaced 1969; deactivated in 1990, and then restored and relit in 1996.

A replica of previous 1846 Keepers Quarters was built in 1970 with a Cape Cod architectural style made of brick. The building is two stories tall and contains a replica cistern adjacent to the Keepers Quarters, Summer Kitchen, and Outhouse, all built in the same year. A unique museum is located inside the Keepers Quarters.

The property is located in a State Recreation Area, owned by the Florida Department of Natural Resources, and opened to the public. Reservations to visit the interior of the buildings may be required. Information received from Ranger Mecklenburg included knowledge of being able to obtain "beach wheels" for persons requiring mobility devices. These rolling "legs" make it possible for persons using wheelchairs to access the beach with assistance. The "beach wheels" are located at the bike rental shop or inquire at the main gate as you enter Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

Boca Chita Key
"The Lighthouse That Isn't"

Boca Chita Key "Lighthouse" is the this island's crowning glory, but not accessible year-round due to shallow reefs. Owned by Biscayne National Park, a tour boat is available up until early September. This glass bottom boat will carry passengers to the island, however, accessibility is limited for persons using mobility devices. The lighthouse is open intermittently whenever park staff or volunteers are on the island.

It is interesting to note, Mark C. Hooneywell owned this island from 1937 to 1945 and the lighthouse was built by him through "The Honeywell Corporation". He thought the lighthouse would help his boat captain have a landmark as a navigational aid, but soon after the lighthouse was built, Honeywell was informed his lighthouse constituted a hazard to navigation and within hours after being first lit the light was extinguished. The conical limestone tower is 65-feet tall and the currant use is an attraction in the National State Park.

To reach the area, travel from the Florida Turnpike South to Exit 6 (Speedway Boulevard), then turn left from the exit ramp and continue south to S.W. 328th Street (North Canal Drive). Continue to the end of the road. Apparently, the Park Service is located at Conway Point, with the entrance on the left, five files further down the road.

The island was not accessible at the time this search for lighthouses were made. It is our understanding the only vessels allowed to go to the island are those operated by the National Park Service and it is questionable whether persons requiring assistance (i.e. lack of arm strength for collapsible manual wheelchairs; transferring, etc.) would be provided. (This could well be one of the best tours and best kept secrets of Florida.)

Off-Shore Reef Lighthouses

Whereas reef lighthouses established miles from shore, may not be as prominent as the more prestigious lighthouses built on the mainland, they are extremely important as Aids to Navigation along the Keys of Florida. Of the six off-shore Reef Lighthouses anticipated to see, two were unable to be seen by the naked eye from the shore, but there is nothing to compare with driving through the Keys and suddenly spotting a Reef Light several miles from shore. Both Carysfort Reef Lighthouse and Molasses Reef Lighthouse required either a boat or a plane to view. Traveling South from the North, the following Reef Lighthouses were seen from land along the island chain.

Providing times of actually taking photos of these reef lights, should provide estimated travel time with stops.

Alligator Reef Light

Established in 1873
Four-Miles East of Indian Key
September 10, 2007

While watching for mile post 79, Alligator Reef was suddenly spotted on the horizon of the ocean traveling South along the Keys. At precisely 1:47 PM (EST) the Alligator Reef Light was photographed. Other views may be obtained going North at mile post 77. Her location is four-miles east of Indian Key. Built on a foundation of iron pile with a platform, her strong iron construction provides a tower height of 136-feet and a focal plane of 136-feet. The original optic was a First Order Fresnel lens, automated in 1963. For over 134-years, Alligator Reef Light has served as an Aid to Navigation with her skeletal shape, white tower with a black lantern, and in 1997, a VRB-25 Solar Powered Optic replaced her original optic and continues to warn Mariners of potentially hazardous reefs with the ownership and assistance of the United States Coast Guard.

Sombrero Key Light

Established in 1858
Near Marathon Key
September 10, 2007

Sombrero Kee Reef Light was a little more difficult to locate, while attempt to find Route 931 (North Sombrero Road). Perserverance paid off in the end; the reef light was spotted from Sombrero Beach Park.

While the photo above does not do justice to what was seen from land, Sombrero Key Light was spotted from shore while a sailboat anchored near to what was apparently a day marker on the left and photographed at 3:35 PM (EST). This tower is 160-feet tall, built on iron pile with disks and made of cast iron. Her skeletal octagonal pyramidal shape is brown in color and the height of her focal plane is 142-feet.

The original lens installed in 1958 were a First Order, Fresnel, automated in 1960, and later moved for display at the Key West Lighthouse Museum. In 1997, the tower received a VRB-25 Solar powered Optic to continue to serve as an Aid to Navigation along the Keys. This third screwpile lighthouse along the Florida Keys was constructed by George Meade and is owned and managed by the United States Coast Guard.

American Shoal Light

Established in 1880
Florida Keys
September 10, 2007

Closing in on Key West, mile post 17, at Sugarloaf Boulevard, this existing historic tower was photographed at 4:45 PM (EST)as the last light along the chain of islands situated in the Atlantic Ocean on the East. The light continues to serve as an Aid to Navigation and is owned and managed by the United States Coast Guard. The tower is similar to Fowey Rocks Light.

Built with foundation materials of iron straightpile with disk, her construction materials are iron and the shape of her skeletal is an octagonal pyramidal, with brown markings and a white column running through the center, topped with a white lantern. The tower height is 109-feet with a focal plane of 109-feet. The original optic was a First Order Drum, Fresnel Lens, automated in 1963. This optic was changed to a VEGA VRB-25, solar powered optic and she continues to serve as an Aid to Navigation, owned and managed by the United States Coast Guard.

Sand Key Light

Established in 1826
7-Miles Southwest of Key West
September 11, 2007

This station was established with a first tower built in 1826 with a brick tower that was destroyed in a hurricane. Apparently, a Lightship served the station from 1846 until 1853, when the second tower, was built on on a platform of iron screwpile. The square skeletal with a central column is made of iron and painted red with black trim. Her tower height is 120-feet and she has a focal plane of 109-feet.

The light, a First Order Fresnel Lens, was lit in 1953 and then deactivated from 1989 to 1998. This original Fresnel lens is now housed at the United States Coast Guard Academy in Groton, Connecticut. Despite being several damaged by fire in 1989, the tower constructed by George Meade, continues to serve as an Aid to Navigation with a modern VEGA VRB-25 Solar Powered optic. Sand Key Light is owned and managed by the United States Coast Guard.

Note: This tower is visibly seen on a clear day from the Southernmost Point of the Continental USA in Key West.

Key West Lighthouse

Established in 1826
Key West
September 11, 2007

Just a few blocks from a hotel, (and tallest building at Key West), Key West Lighthouse was basically right around the corner. The entrance facing a main street with minimum parking, a convenient parking lot was quickly discovered around the corner. Whereas, entry was through a completely accessible gift shop instead of the front of the property by parking in the lot, being greeted by an enthusiast welcomer was an added pleasure. Eyes scanned the souvenirs neatly arranged around the room while engaging in an interesting conversation and waiting for an exceptional guide to show the extraordinary grounds where the lighthouse stood.

Clearly, in this close-knit community of Key West, Floridians have opened their arms to visitors from around the world. The guide first showed a small interesting museum adjacent to the gift shop, then opened the next door to an exploding scene of beauty. Huge tropical trees enhanced the landscape from years of growth, but plainly, the lighthouse was seen and the guide clearly brought into focus the remarkable history.

The station was actually established in 1825 at Whitehead Point, but destroyed by a hurricane. Built on natural emplaced foundation materials, construction materials were brick in 1847. The tower was originally 46-feet high and extended to 86-feet in 1894. It was and still is painted white and has a black lantern. The conical shape of tower is separate from other structures. Inside, visitors may climb the eighty-eight iron steps to the observation deck that affords spectacular views.

The original optic were thirteen Argand Lamps with 21-inch reflectors. In 1858 a Henry Lapaute Third Order Lens was installed and automated using an acetylene system in 1915. The light was deactivated in 1969, restored, and now operates with a 175-WATT HI-TEK M57 optic as an aid to ships navigating dangerous reefs off the lower Keys. The Key West Lighthouse now stands sentinel over one of Florida's finest historical sites and has a focal plane of 91-feet.

Eager to assist with providing a view of the stairs inside the tower, the guide offered to take camera inside and capture the scene. It would be later the view would unfold and allow sharing the amazing staircase leading to the observation deck.

Traveling through the grounds, we learned about the tropical plants, stories not know, and the impeccable Keeper's Quarters that faced the main road as well as the side street. The Keepers Quarters were constructed of wood with a West Indian Verncular architectural style, one-story tall. Touring the grounds, this building simply gets larger and larger while traveling from one position to the next.

Additional buildings include a cistern, replica oil house, two garages, storage building and outhouse (circa 1887). The currant use of the buildings are a museum property, owned and managed by Monroe County/Key West Art and Historical Society. Monroe County Acquired the deed in 1972, the property was restored in 1988 and was reopened to the public in 1989.

Returning North

Returning North along the island Keys provided the best views of what is left of the original railway, once used to transport people to and from Key West. Stops were included at Key Biscayne where it was learned "The Lighthouse That Isn't" would not be able to be seen. Missing from this final sequence is Saint John's River Lighthouse at Mayport because the sun had set by the time we reached the ferry to cross the river. In other words, time had simply run out but we expect photography to be included by a member who will be traveling to the area soon.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

Established in 1835
South of Daytona Beach
September 14, 2007

From Interstate 95, we took exit 256 and traveled East on Dunlawton Avenue until reaching the intersection of Highway One. Then we crossed the bridge over the Halifax River and turned right on Atlantic Avenue, driving South until we reached Beach Street, where we turned right and then left onto Peninsula Drive. Two blocks later, the entrance to the lighthouse appeared on the left and an enthusiastic ataff member was waiting to take us through the immense grounds of Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. During this tour, we learned about many things never imagined or encountered before from Mike Bennett, but the most important of all, was the towering light gleaming in the morning sun.

The Ponce de Leon Station was established in 1835, but it was never put to use and eventually undermined in a storm, toppling into the sea. In 1887, a tower was completed on a foundation of brick and the conical shaped tower, 175-feet tall, was made of bricks shipped from Baltimore, Maryland. In the same year, a First Order Fresnel Lens was installed, and began serving as an Aid to Navigation. In 1953, the optic was automated, but from 1970 until 1982, the light was deactivated and then relit. Markings of the tower are red with a black lantern and copper roof.

Similar to a few other lighthouse properties along the Atlantic Coast, the grounds of Ponce de Leon Lighthouse were completely accessible and contained smooth transition throughout the property. While some people could not enter the tower, Mike Bennett graciously offered to take the following photos of the stair structure inside.

Matt Bennett's photography brought memories from the past and a glimpse into this spectacular staircase that circled the climb to the observation deck at the top. From these photographs, many will see the interior of this amazing tower.

In 1996, a newer optic replaced the First Order Fresnel Lens with a VEGA (VRB-25), providing a focal plane of 159-feet. In 1995, a new display building was opened on the grounds. The disposition of the original 1867 "Barbier Et Fenestre" fixed lens (installed in 1867), and the 1904 "Henry Lapaute" revolving lens used at Cape Canaveral Light Station are featured in this building and are on display in the Lens Exhibit Building at Ponce de Leon. The beam of the lens casts its history around the walls of the museum as it rotates.

We were now convinced the information obtained through the United States Coast Guard - Station Yorktown, our tour through Canfield Hall, a year before was very accurate. This was the eighth lighthouse during our travels which had been replaced with a more advanced and highly reliable optic.

Eventually, all Fresnel Lens will eventually be replaced by the more advanced optics. The importance of preserving the historic Fresnel Lens throughout our coastlines is extremely important in order to maintain them for future generations and historical education about these treasures.

In between the building of Exhibit #12, there were two outdoor exhibits that caught everyone's attention. On the right, a 16th century anchor was a type made in Portugal and possibly from Jean Ribault's fleet, which was found scattered from a hurricane, and the loss of many ships, between Cape Canaveral and the Matanzas Inlet in 1565.

On the left, a large single-fluke known as a "Kedge Anchor" (circa 1830 - 1860), was recovered by the United States Coast Guard in the Bahamas. The anchors were used in the island on logging ships to hold the stern seaward when ground the bow near shore, in order to load timber in areas without docks or piers.

Throughout the property smoothly laid bricks, with names of donors or persons remembered inscribed, were prominent. The experience of traveling upon these walkways were similar of taking a walk through history with hundreds of persons who had traveled the same path before. It was interesting to realize sincere devotion to the lighthouse by so many carrying individuals and possibly one of the more unique ways to remember a loved one.

This was at least the third grounds of a lighthouse using this interesting method of combination fund raising to help support on-going maintenance and adding revenue to provide additional exhibits or structures. The smooth transition was far better than boardwalk or traditional cobblestone that would not be nearly as smooth, and provided safety for persons either on foot or otherwise.

One-Story Keepers Quarters constructed in 1887 with a West Indian Vernacular style made of brick and wood remain on the grounds. Additionally, there are three cisterns, three storage buildings, a pump house, oil house, and two Assistant Keepers (Victorian Vernacular) on the property. Two of the Keepers cottages are turned into a Maritime Museum and the third is restored.

Looking around another corner provided a few giggles; The reality of conveniences of today, and what life was like in many years past. (We agreed Americans have it far better as we move toward the future.) This property did not have any access problems and every turn was a new adventure while learning even more than ever imagined. A good example of this were two displays adjacent to one another which not only loaned insight, but additionally, the profoundness of desperate immigration.

On the left, a Cuban make-shift boah had washed ashore in Volusia County in 1989. Clothing found on board suggested children were on this raft. An orange life-saving vest, left behind by the United States Coast Guard, indicated the persons on this craft were rescued at sea. A sign between the two rafts stated the vessel on the right washed ashore in 1994. "The 90-mile wide Florida Straits between Cuba and South Florida is treacherous, and the fate of the individuals aboard this raft is unknown."

It was difficult to imagine the desperate plight of immigrants attempting to reach American soil from Cuba, placing not only adult lives in danger, but also that of children. The raft on the right is far less superior to that of the one located on the left and in fact, made with rubber inner tubes.

In our present day and time, immigration is a very serious problem due to the security of American citizens and continuous threats of terrorism in the United States of America.

Focusing on children, the Preservation Association plans to begin work for a children's tour into the past, with two boats patiently waiting for restoration as a children's exhibit.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse serves as an Active Aid to Navigation and provides education with open museums to the public. The property is owned and managed by the Town of Ponce Inlet and Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association.

Saint Augustine Lighthouse

Established in 1823
Anastasia Island
September 14, 2007

This bustling favorite community loans much to the traveler and visitor with quaint shops, charming history, and a pleasant atmosphere. We exited from Interstate 95 on Exit 11 and traveled northeast on SR 207 and then turned right on SR 212. When reaching A1A, we proceeded North and then turned right onto Red Cox Road, where the lighthouse was situated on the left.

Saint Augustine became Florida's first lighthouse dating back to a watch-tower established in the 1500's to guard against pirate attacks. She became a lighthouse in 1824. The original optic was a First Order Fresnel Lens installed in 1874 and automated in 1955. Height of the focal plane is 161-feet.

This lens was replaced with an automatic beacon. Two years later, she was vandalized and then restored to full operation. In 1986, the lens was damaged by rifle fire, and in 1991, use was discontinued to save further damage. The First Order Lens was relit in 1993 and the temporary light was removed, transferred to the Saint Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Incorporated, under the auspices of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act in 2002. The lens rotates every 90-seconds, with three bulls-eyes, providing the area a gigantic flash every 30-seconds by the original "L. Sautter Et Lemonier Et Co." revolving lens.

Built on a foundation of brick on coquina, her conical tower is attached to a storage building; Her tower is made of brick and stands 165-feet, with black and white spiral bands and a red lantern. Historical information includes a Coquina Tower originally built by the Spanish in 1737 as a Watch Tower, used by the British from 1763 until 1784, and then by America after 1821. During a storm in 1880, she was washed into the sea.

Existing Keepers Quarters were constructed in 1876 with a two-story Victorian Duplex made of brick and wood. Additional structures include a wooden garage (1936), and wooden United States Coast Guard Barracks (1941). The restored dwelling contains a museum, theater, and bookstore (gift shop).

An interesting path led into a tropical garden, but time was quickly running out; There were two more lighthouses to explore before the day ended in order to complete this search.

Amelia Island Lighthouse

Established in 1839
Entrance to Saint Mary's River
September 14, 2007

Make no doubt about it; Through rain or short thunder storms, a true lighthouse enthusiast will persevere until finding the light. So it was at 4:30 PM (EST) when finally locating the lighthouse. With rain pelting the windshield, front gates closed, entrance was not possible; The lens of the cameras still worked.

This historical tower was relocated from Great Cumberland Island in Georgia in 1838, after being first lit in 1820. Foundation materials are stone and the white tower with a black lantern is made of brick with stucco in a conical shape, standing 64-feet tall.

The original optic, installed in 1839, were 14 Lamps with 15-inch reflectors. In 1903, a "Barbier, Benard" Third Order Lens was installed, automated in 1956, and was still in operation during this sighting. The focal plane is 107-feet.

Existing Keepers Quarters are on the property but the historic bungalows have been dismantled. A concrete block building, apparently built in 1950, has a modern style and is one-story tall. Other structures include an oil house and paint locker. This property is owned and managed by the United States Coast Guard; The light currently serves as an Active Aid to Navigation and the Keepers Quarters are Coast Guard Housing. Reportedly, there have been four Keepers Quarters on the site.

Along the Panhandle of Florida

St. Marks Lighthouse
(1831; 1867)



Location: On the Eastside of the entrance to St. Marks River, Appalachia Bay, Florida
Visited May 12, 2000

Leaving Tallahassee, Florida, from the State Capitol on Monroe Avenue, and heading South in search of lighthouses along the Gulf Coast a wealth of information was learned at the Ranger Station in St. Mark's National Preserve for continuing travel. Driving along the roadway toward the first lighthouse, something very large on the left side of the road was spotted. After passing the object, reality was a huge alligator was retrieving something lying in the road, but the large creature slipped back into the swamp land by the time the wheels reversed to see him.

A short distance further down the road the second oldest lighthouse built in 1842 stood operating on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. Thus, the beginning of another journey in search of lighthouses along US 98 began.

As an aid to navigation, St Marks Lighthouse was first built in 1829, but the existing tower was actually completed in 1842. The lighthouse survived the Civil War, the strongest of hurricanes, and continued to serve as one of America's best at the time of this visit. The surrounding grounds were accessible from a parking area on the West side and a low viewing platform with a few steps to mount (located on the North side of the lighthouse) loaned photography by a companion willing to take a few pictures of the lighthouse.

Crooked River Lighthouse
(1895)



Location: On shore, Southwest of Carrabelle, Florida, on the North side of St. George Sound
Visited May 12, 2000

Driving further brought photos of a Channel Buoy but failed to surface Crooked River Lighthouse, which by then was appearing to be a fruitless effort. Rounding curves and slipping past the nearly hidden road three times, asking as many persons for directions, finally believing "the road" was indeed the road to take, led to the street appropriately named "Beacon" and then to a street named "Lighthouse" but no lighthouse was in sight and reached nothing other than a "dead end".

Perseverance in this case would result in pay-off and the surge to find the light became reality after turning in the opposite direction to head west along the main highway. A short distance after passing a now familiar intersection, the skeleton frame of the lighthouse came into view on the left, but was unreachable from a side road. Before re-entering the highway, a sandy dirt road caught interest and the wheels turned onto it.

Through the underbrush, sighting the framework holding the light was an inspiration and finally approaching the tower, made the effort of searching well worth the sighting. There would be no traveling close up - smaller wheels would not take the risk of soft sand! The bottom line was the lighthouse was found and for that alone, the sighting was well worth the effort and it does appear this lighthouse lives up to its name!

Cape San Blas Lighthouse
(1847; 1885)



Location: On the South end of St. Joseph Bay, South of Port St. Joe on the cape.
Originally positioned three miles in the gulf.
Visited May 14, 2000

Every once in a while, a rare occurrence of stumbling into a military base in pursuit of locating a lighthouse will happen, and more often than not, entry will not be permitted but there is a good chance the lighthouse will be in view of the lens on a camera. Thus was the case with this site situated at the United States Elgin Air Force Base - Test Site D3 (CG). During the time this search took place, the area was only open to the public when a mission was not in progress.

Carefully following directions from a Gate Guard, Cape San Blas Lighthouse was sighted slightly hidden near the side of the road. The tower was built in 1885 and later moved due to erosion of the shoreline in 1918 to the existing location. The original Keeper's House remained next to it. A new Keeper's Residence to the left of the tower was near completion and a Coast Guard Station functioned Southeast of the lighthouse in separate quarters.

Driving further along another two lane road promised viewing of Saint Joe's lighthouse; while interesting homes and beach fronts along the peninsula captured attention and the haze in the sky could not hide small islands off the Gulf coast, the promise was not fulfilled and the journey continued west on Highway 98 where another marker was located.

Beacon Hill Lighthouse



Location: On Highway 98 East of Mexico Beach At the Central/Eastern Time Zone of Florida
Visited May 14, 2000

It was purely by accident while driving west along Hwy. 98 that Beacon Hill Lighthouse was seen. The tower boasted a red marker near the top of the skeleton with a matching red fire hydrant perched at the roadside. This Gulf County Community Park at Beacon Hill was an operating aid to navigation at the time of our visit.

Pensacola Light House
(1825; 1859)


North side of the West entrance to Pensacola Bay
Visited May 15, 2000

The Pensacola Lighthouse is actually located on the Naval Air Station of Pensacola. The surrounding grounds around the lighthouse were a little bumpy but indeed accessible and the most beautiful sight aside of the lighthouse, was in the opposite direction toward the sea. Hours could have been spent just watching sail boats, but before losing track of time, we headed for lunch at the military restaurant overlooking the bay. (Lighthouse Point Restaurant was open to the public.) The rest of the attractions on this base included an astonishing military museum.

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