Main Blog

If you want to read more of my Seminole War blogs and information, you can go over to my main, original blog site at live journal.

http://seminolewar.livejournal.com

I decided to not continue on this page. One is enough. I am more familiar with live journal, and it lets me load more photos than here.

Sorry about the ads on livejournal. But since I do not get paid for this and do it for free, the provider or server of the blog must be satisfied.

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse 150th.

The lighthouse at Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County is celebrating its 150th anniversary. It was lit on July 10th, 1860. If you are a lighthouse climber, this one is a must-see. The Loxahatchee River Historical Society Museum here is also worth visiting, and has some Seminole stuff.

In 1854, Army Engineer Lt. George Meade selected the present site where the lighthouse stands. Interesting enough, is that we just celebrated the anniversary of Gettysburg, which General Meade was famous for winning.

The Third Seminole War caused construction to halt, but after the war it resumed, and was finally lit 150 years. Less than a year later, the Confederates disabled or removed the lens, but it was relit again in 1866. It is still an active lighthouse, and an active coast guard reservation. (With a BX / PX / CGX exchange, for all you active servicemen.) To go up the lighthouse, you have to go on one of the guided tours from the museum nearby.

Work is being done to spruce-up the old lighthouse. It has fresh paint, I could smell fresh paint on the steps, and concrete was still being poured for the commemorative plaque in front.

There are two mounds visible here, and the lighthouse is on the top of one. Maybe this is why it is one of the more attractive lighthouses in Florida, seeing it on top of the mound with the grass and the palm trees, amidst the contrasting urban Palm Beach.

There are 105 steps going up, and it is a spectacular view. The first-order Fresnel lens still shines at night. So the last tour leaves at 4:00 p.m. Make enough time to see it.

Read the rest of this blog and many more photos along with it at my main site: http://seminolewar.livejournal.com .

Chekika's Island / Hanging People

Every day, people driving along the Tamiami Trail west of Miami and east of Shark Valley unknowingly pass near the spot of one of the most brutal episodes during the 2nd Seminole War. Chekika's island hammock hideout. For military historians, this was also the location of what is considered one of the first Special Forces Operations in December 1840.

The Miccosukee stay away from there and don't visit the hammock island. According to Sturevant, in the Mikasuki language the place is called, "Yatcasaski," or "Hanging People." (Tequesta, 1953/Vol. 13, pg. 59.)

Chekika's Island can be seen in the distance, as a fortress of trees. A hammock Island in the Everglades. It reminds me of the castle or fortress.

Read the rest of this article at my main blog at http://seminolewar.livejournal.com