Elgin Air Force Base, which owns Florida’s Cape San Blas Lighthouse Station, recently ordered the light station closed to the public in anticipation of moving the keeper’s homes, which are severely threated by erosion.
The Cape San Blas Lighthouse was added to the “Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List of Endangered American Lighthouses” in the July/August edition of our magazine. This past August, Hurricane Isaac, which wreaked havoc at many coastal areas of the United States, wiped out the road in front of the lighthouse, leaving the former keeper’s homes and oil house approximately 50 feet from the water.
It is anticipated that after some trees are cut down, the keeper’s homes will be moved back about 135 feet. However, apparently, Elgin AFB will not move the tower, but instead is declaring the lighthouse as excess property so that it can be transferred to either the county or the city, or perhaps both. About $80,000 has been raised locally to pay for the move of the lighthouse, which is expected to cost $300,000 or more. The city of Port St. Joe is proposing to move the lighthouse to become the centerpiece of the George Core Park.
For the time being, the gift shop that operated in one of the restored keeper’s quarters, is in a temporary home at the Maddox House along the bayfront in Port St. Joe.
By simply looking at the photographs you will be able to see for yourself the imminent danger that is faced at Cape San Blas Lighthouse. Raising money to finance the move is now at the critical stage. But you can help by sending in a donation for the lighthouse.
Another way you can help is by purchasing one or more of their beautiful lighthouse Christmas tree ornament that is being sold to help raise money. The ornament can be purchased for $20.00 plus $6.00 shipping from St. Joseph Historical Society, P.O. Box 231, Port St. Joe, FL 32457.
Every donation adds up, and yes, you can make a difference.
This story appeared in the
Nov/Dec 2012 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.
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