History: The first lighthouse at Cape San Blas, near the town of Port St. Joe, was erected in 1849. It was an 85-foot conical brick tower designed to warn ships of the dangerous shoal at the Cape. This structure was destroyed by a storm in 1851, and replaced in 1856 with a similar brick tower that was destroyed within a few months. The third lighthouse was built in 1857 and was damaged during the War Between the States, but survived until toppled by beach erosion in 1882. In 1883 it was replaced by a 98-foot "skeletal" lighthouse comprised of eight cast iron legs that support the "watch room" and lantern at the top of the tower. Although the tower initially stood 1500 feet from the shore, a powerful storm in 1894 left it damaged and standing in water. In 1918 it was moved one quarter mile to where it stands today and the light was lit on January 22, 1919. The current Keepers' Quarters were completed in 1905. One of the buildings was restored in 1999 for use by the Air Force, and the second was restored in 2005 and is now a gift shop.
Directions: Traveling south of Port St. Joe and several miles west of Apalachicola, Highway 30A makes a sharp 90 degree turn. At this turn, go west onto Highway 30E (Cape San Blas Road). Test Area D-3 is 2.7 miles ahead on the right. Continue just past D-3, the road bends around to the right. Instead of going with the road, turn left onto Cape San Blas Lighthouse Road. As you approach the gulf, turn right on Keeper's Cottage Way.
Amenities: Sleeping Beauty Gift Shop is located in the restored lighthouse keeper's quarters. Upstairs, a minimuseum is a work in progress with a goal to represent keeper?s quarters living conditions during the early twentieth century.
Hours (Gift Shop):
Wednesday - Friday 11 A.M. ? 5:00 P.M.
Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Hours subject to change.
Contact:
St. Joseph Historical Society, Inc.
P. O. Box 231
Port St. Joe, FL 32457
850-229-1151
Website: www.capesanblaslighthouse.com
Email: capesanblaslighthouse@gmail.com
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Cape San Blas Lighthouse
Virtual Tour |
