Where is the Model of Cape Hatteras? President Ronald Reagan is shown here in 1981 with a model of North Carolina’s Cape Hatteras Lighthouse that was given to him by U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, who was one of the early supporters of saving Cape Hatteras Lighthouse at its original location; an idea that would have proved disastrous. In 1999, the lighthouse was moved 2900 feet inland. Where is this model of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse today? Is it in the collection of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum or on display somewhere else? Perhaps one of our readers knows the answer. (Lighthouse Digest archives photo by Hugh Morton (1921-2006)
Faux Lighthouse Hides Something Designed by Grover S. Perkins and built in 1948 by Winfield C. Littlefield the 23-foot-tall Marginal Way Lighthouse at Lobster Point in Ogunquit, Maine has been popular with tourists since the day it was built. Many people stop to pause for a photograph with it and every summer numerous weddings are held by the squat little tower that is not a real lighthouse. In 1963, when a water treatment plant was built, it was used to hide the pumping station. There is a donation opening in the structure to help with the upkeep of the tower. Because of its location it also called the Lobster Point Lighthouse, or the Ogunquit Lighthouse.
Promotional Photo from Owner of the Titanic This photo, now in our archives, of Florida’s 1884 Sanibel Island Lighthouse, came from the archives of the White Star Line, which, in its day, was the premier shipping company in the world. The company no longer exists having been merged with its chief rival the Cunard Lines, which was later taken over by Carnival Corporation. The Sanibel Island Lighthouse is now owned by the City of Sanibel and received an extensive renovation in 2013.
West Quoddy Smoke Stack 1950s The photograph was taken in the 1950s by photographer C. Ernest Walker for a post card that he was making of Maine’s West Quoddy Head Lighthouse in the fog. The photograph is of historical importance because it shows the smoke stack that was used for whatever type of stove that was used to heat the entryway building to the tower. The smoke stack is no longer there and the interior of the entryway building is in despicable condition. The historic tourist attraction is currently owned by the State of Maine, which is known for its disgraceful care of historic properties.
Cap’s Lighthouse Garage This old snapshot shows a neat place called Cap’s Lighthouse Garage that was located on the Yosemite Highway 140 in Catheys Valley, Mariposa County, California near Yosemite National Forest. It was originally owned by C.E. Comstock and known only as “Lighthouse Service” which also operated as an auto camp. In 1928, it was sold to C.A. Payton who made additions to it and later, using his name’s initials renamed it Cap’s Lighthouse Garage. Not shown in this photo are two very tall stone lighthouses that marked the entrance to the auto camp. This photo appears to have been taken in the mid-1930s. According to the sign, they sold Associated “Ethyl” Gasoline, had a diner, sold groceries, and rented cabins. But why did it have a lighthouse theme? Was the original owner someone who loved lighthouses, or perhaps, he had a family member who was a lighthouse keeper? Over the years the business changed hands several times. Sadly, it no longer exists. If anyone can help us with more information on Cap’s Lighthouse Garage please email Editor@LighthouseDigest.com, or call us 207-259-2121. Photographs of places like this are a valuable offshoot of lighthouse history that should to be saved for future generations
Lighthouse Mobilgas Station The Lighthouse Service Station, which sold Mobilgas, once stood in what is now Lincoln City, Oregon. According to the North Lincoln County History Museum it is believed that the tower was three stories high. Built in 1932, it was demolished in 1960.
Cape Arago with the Bridge Oregon’s Cape Arago Lighthouse, on an island southwest of the entrance to Coos Bay, is shown here on May 10, 1959, when it was still an active light station during the time that Arthur C. Shaffer was the last person to serve here as a lighthouse keeper. You can learn about Arthur C. Shaffer by referring to the story “Our Life Among the Lighthouses” that appeared in the November/December 2019 edition of Lighthouse Digest. The Coast Guard deactivated the lighthouse on January 1, 2006. In 2012, to prevent unauthorized access to the island, the bridge was demolished. In 2013, ownership of the island and the lighthouse was transferred to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siusaw.
This story appeared in the
Mar/Apr 2021 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
All contents copyright © 1995-2024 by Lighthouse Digest®, Inc. No story, photograph, or any other item on this website may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Lighthouse Digest. For contact information, click here.
|