" The 1884 metal tower lighthouse was certainly the most unimpressive of our trip in 2000 "
 |
The same forces that make Sanibel Island world famous for shell collecting on their beaches, that day, had washed huge quantities of dead marine life up. The place was a stinking mess with biting flies and mosquitoes just about to carry us away.
|
|---|---|
A short walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse compound area is the metal skeleton lighthouse, keepers buildings and other buildings.
|
The lighthouse on Sanibel Island was built in 1884 at the east end of the
island. It’s a steel spider web
tower 90 feet tall with a cylindrical center section that houses a spiral
stairway leading to the top.
The still active lighthouse has the Keeper's dwelling now
being used as offices for the local national Wildlife Refuge.
The lighthouse and surrounding area is rather unimpressive.
We had heard that the beaches on Sanibel Island were world famous for the
shells that wash up there. But the
day we visited we saw no shells at all and the beach was stinking from rotting
marine life that had washed ashore. We
were also eaten alive by biting flies and mosquitoes.
Overall our visit to this lighthouse was a real disappointment and not
worth the drive, except to say we’d been there and to take a few pictures.
If you’ve seen one steel skeleton lighthouse that you cannot climb,
you’ve just about seen then all in my opinion.
|
Lighthouse History: The Sanibel Island Light was constructed in 1884. This steel structure has a spiral staircase, inside the cylindrical center structure, leading up to it's now automated beacon. In 1833 the Secretary of Treasury was first petitioned for a lighthouse on Sanibel Island. The petition was rejected and brought to life again in 1850's, 1878 and finally accepted in 1881. Congress approved $20,000 adding another $30,000 one year later. The land to be used belonged to the State of Florida and was ceded by Florida Governor Bioxham to the Federal Government in 1883. In 1884, the foundation was constructed within three months. The superstructure of the tower was constructed in New Jersey and being delivered to the site on a schooner during that time. Two miles from her final destination, the schooner was shipwrecked and sank. The construction crew worked to recover all but a few brackets from the wreckage. Construction resumed with the lighthouse being completed in August of 1884. Fitted with a third-order lens, the light was first lit on August 20, 1884. The lens used was initially intended for the Anclote Keys lighthouse. In 1949, the light was automated and transferred to the U.S. Department of Interior. Location: Point Ybel, East end of Sanibel Island FL
Driving directions: From Downtown Fort Meyers, follow FL867 for 14.5 miles to San Carlos Bay. Continue 4.0 miles along the San Carlos Causeway to the intersection at Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island (4-way stop). Turn left traveling 4.8 miles to East end of the island. Signs will lead you to the Lighthouse. |
|
