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 .