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3061. Henry, Ellen J. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse: An Illustrated History. 2019. Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association. 317p. DJ. THE PONCE INLET LIGHTHOUSE: An Illustrated History tells the story of the Ponce (originally Mosquito) Inlet Light Station and the local Florida region from prehistoric times through the present day. Published by the Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association, this extraordinary hardcover coffee table book is the definitive history of the Ponce Inlet Light Station and represents more than 15 years of research conducted by author and museum curator Ms. Ellen Henry. The book features more than 400 images to bring it all to life and is filled with fascinating stories of human perseverance, lighthouse innovation, Native American uprisings, civil war battles, desperate shipwrecks, lighthouse builders defying the elements, heroic sea rescues, and the lives of the light station's historic keepers and their families. Well done. (M). $49.95 (x)

16233. Thurlow, Sandra and Timothy Dring. U.S. Life-Saving Service: Florida's East Coast. Arcadia. 2016. 128p. Soft wraps. With over 200 vintage photographs. Ten houses of refuge, unique to Florida s east coast, were constructed by the US Life-Saving Service between 1876 and 1886. When ships traveling along the almost uninhabited coast were grounded or wrecked on reefs, survivors often made it to land but had no way to reach civilization. House of refuge keepers and their families provided food and shelter to victims of shipwrecks. The keepers lives were monotonous but punctuated with the excitement of an occasional shipwreck. The US Life-Saving Service provided the framework on which the east coast of Florida developed. With the establishment of the US Coast Guard in 1915, the Life-Saving Service houses of refuge became Coast Guard stations." This compact volume features numerous early photographs dating from the 1880’s to the present, drawn from the author’s and other private collections, most never before published, and traces the history of the Life-Saving Service in Florida through photos and text. Filled with early views. (M). $21.99.

3030. Clifford, Mary L. and J. Candace Clifford. When the Southern Lights Went Dark - The Lighthouse Establishment During the Civil War. Globe Pequot. 2020. 192p. Soft wraps. The Confederacy extinguished the lights in all the lighthouses it controlled long before any shots were fired at Fort Sumter. When the Southern Lights Went Dark: The Lighthouse Establishment During the Civil War tells the story of the men who assumed the daunting task of finding the lenses and lamps, repairing deliberate destruction to the towers and lightships, and relighting them as soon as the Navy could afford them protection. From Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Light, Jupiter Inlet to Tybee Island, St. Simons to Cockspur Island and others, these are the stories from a unique era in United States lighthouse history. Unlike in peace time, when military officers filled the posts of engineer and inspector in each lighthouse district, civilians had to be found who were not only talented enough to build and maintain lighthouses, but also could supervise a party of workmen and make decisions on their own. Those men in the field had to find keepers, see that they were paid, and ensure they had food, water, and essential supplies. The Lighthouse Board was far away in Washington and could do little more than give advice, order needed equipment, record the dispatches from the field, and pay the bills it received. From Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Light, Jupiter Inlet to Tybee Island, St. Simons to Cockspur Island and others, these are the stories from a unique era in United States lighthouse history. Well done. (M). $19.95. (available 2021) 

1786. Hargrove, James L. and Carol A. Talley. Cape St. George Lighthouse and Apalachicola Bay. Arcadia. 2017. 96p. Soft wraps. With over 122 vintage photographs. The beacon of the historic Cape St. George Lighthouse still guides mariners into Apalachicola Bay. Sheltered from the Gulf of Mexico by a string of barrier islands, the port flourished as the only site in Florida on a river that is navigable for over 300 miles to the fall line at Columbus, Georgia, Apalachicola’s sister city. Generations of lighthouse keepers were bound to St. George Island and its great bay by an intense sense of duty to sustain seagoing commerce and a love for a place where they could raise their families in freedom. When the lighthouse foundation washed away in 2005 after a very active hurricane season and a final surge from Hurricane Wilma, residents took action to salvage and rebuild the historic lighthouse. Visitors may still climb the lighthouse tower, surrounded by the bricks that were first laid in 1852. This compact volume features numerous early photographs dating from the 1880’s to the present, drawn from the author’s and other private collections, most never before published. (M). $21.99.

25135b. Taylor , Thomas W. FLORIDA'S TERRITORIAL LIGHTHOUSES, 1821-1845. Allandale. 1995. 302 p. Soft wraps. Inscribed by the author, numbered #800 of 1000. “This book is clearly a cut above most lighthouse books published in recent years. Author Taylor really did his homework in researching the earliest lighthouses to dot the Florida shores." -- Wayne Wheeler. U.S. Lighthouse Society. This book is a limited edition publication, numbered, signed by the author, and issued in honor of the Sesquicentennial of Florida Statehood, 1845-1995. As the only book to date dealing with these early lighthouses, this book details the construction and early history of the sixteen lighthouse towers at the thirteen light stations which were constructed in Florida during the Territorial Years of 1821 to 1845. The information comes from documents from the National Archives, Library of Congress, letters from the keepers, transcripts of other documents which are no longer in existence, and other sources. It is a one-of-a-kind book which should be included in every collection of Florida history. The book includes 300 pages of text and 80 black and white photographs, maps, and drawings, many of which have never been published before. An excellent source and fine reading and difficult to find now. (VG+). $39.95.

10374. Witt, Sonny. Drawn to the Light – The History of Cape Canaveral and its People. 241p. Soft wraps. The history of Cape Canaveral from 500 - 1945 is very sketchy or non existent. The Ais Indians controlled Cape Canaveral until their disappearance in about 1715. From that time the Cape lay uninhabited until about 1847 when the Lighthouse Establishment arrived to search for a location to build a lighthouse. About eighty years after the Ais Indians disappeared from Cape Canaveral , a hand full of settlers arrived. Their objective was to raise families, settle homesteads and operate the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. Interestingly enough, the second lighthouse keeper left Cape Canaveral because of fears of raids by Indians and the third keeper came to the cape because Indians caused his family to leave their homestead near Fort Pierce. Mills O. Burnham and his wife Mary should be credited for, but not completely, populating Cape Canaveral with the Burnham family members and the operation the Cape Canaveral Lighthouses between 1853 and 1939 when the Coast Guard took ownership. Burnham or a member of his family saw the beautiful state-of-the-art Iron Lighthouse first assembled. He watched, as it got its beautiful black and white day marks. His son-in-law became the first postmaster of Cape Canaveral. A cousin watched the Iron Lighthouse be disassembled and moved to its current location. Thoroughly illustrated with hundreds of photographs. A detailed account of this little known but important light station and the life there. (M). Published at $26.95. Sale Price $17.95.

11180d. (coat button) “House of Refuge” (Florida). U.S. Life Saving Service. 23mm. 7/8”. Backmarked “Henry V. Allien & Co. N.Y.”. The Houses of Refuge in Florida were a series of stations operated by the United States Life Saving Service along the coast of Florida to rescue and shelter ship-wrecked sailors. Five houses were built on the east coast in 1876, with five more added in 1885. The houses were manned by civilian keepers, contractors who lived in the houses with their families. Most of these houses remained in service as life-saving stations until 1915 or later. Buttons from the few uniforms that were worn are extremely rare. (VG+). $195.

21345c. Dean, Love. REEF LIGHTS – Seaswept Lights of the Florida Keys. nd. 134p. Soft wraps. Scarce account of the series of six lighthouses constructed between 1852 and 1880, marking the Florida Reefs from Fowey Rocks to sand Key. All of these lights were similar in construction, being of the wrought iron skeleton type. This expert chronicle contains a host of information, from the history of lighthouses in the area, light keeper’s duties, construction and more. Well illustrated with vintage photos, architectural drawings, and more. Excellent reference and most interesting reading. Clean, tight, light use. (VG). $44 net.

2710. (photograph) St Augustine Lighthouse, Florida. c.1950's. 10 ½”  x 14” mounted on board. Small tack hole in top. Excellent professional clear close view with tower lantern and gallery, superb for framing. (VG). $35.

28160. (panoramic photo) Fort Barrancas, Florida c.1900 by McMahan. Large early 7 ½” x 32" panoramic “bird’s eye view” photo of Fort Barrancas shows great detail of the Spanish American War era fort with Pensacola Lighthouse visible in the distance. Fort Barrancas stands on a site which has been the home for harbor fortifications since 1763, when the British built a fort. The United States began constructing fortifications at Pensacola in the 1820's and Fort Barrancas was one of four fortifications constructed to defend the navy yard there. Fort Barrancas was designed with two roles. It acted as a harbor defense fort, forming a rough triangle at the entrance to the bay with Fort McRee and Fort Pickens. It also acted together with the Advance Redoubt to prevent troop movement to the navy yard from the mainland side. Fort Barrancas was involved in some of the Civil War battles around Pensacola. It was originally abandoned by Union troops, who moved to Fort Pickens. On November 22 and 23 of 1861, Union and Confederate forces engaged in an artillery duel between the harbor forts, firing 6000 shells. However, the ranges were extreme for the smoothbore weapons, and little damage was done by either side. Pensacola was abandoned by Confederate troops in May of 1862, and Fort Barrancas saw no further combat. Superb large, clear, close view would be wonderful framed. (lines of shading on my scan are not on original) (VG+). $145. 

25142. Garner, Thomas M., THE PENSACOLA LIGHTHOUSE. Pensacola . 1994. 18 p. Soft wraps. History of this important aid to navigation, from its construction in the 1820’s through its many changes over the years. Illustrated with photos. (VG).  $4.50.

10345. [Light-House Service District Maps]. U. S. Light-House Service. c. June 30, 1891. A rare opportunity to obtain an official U. S. Light-House Service District charts of all district aids to navigation as bound in their Annual Reports. Normally these charts are included within the Annual Reports and we are unable to offer them separately but we have found a lot of disbound charts in good condition. These are fine for matting and framing for your wall. Charts detail the entire Light-House District in three colors, and show all lighthouses, beacons, light vessels, fog signals, lighted buoys, Light-House Depots, and more. Charts average 8 ½” x 10” in size and are overall clean, may have very light stain,  with only one light original fold, light age toning. A rare chance to obtain the chart of your District for framing. (VG).

FIRST LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From the head of navigation on the St. Croix River , Maine to Hampton Harbor , New Hampshire . Includes all of Maine and New Hampshire .                                                    $44.

SECOND LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Hampton Harbor , New Hampshire to Elisha Ledge off Warren , Rhode Island . Includes all of Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard .                                           $44.

THIRD LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Elisha Ledge off Warren , Rhode Island to and including a point on the coast of New Jersey opposite Shrewsbury Rocks.                                                                                  $44.

PART OF THE THIRD LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Includes all of Lake Champlain .                                        $18.

FOURTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From a point on the coast of New Jersey opposite Shrewsbury Rocks to and including Metomkin Inlet, Virginia. Includes New Jersey , Delaware , Maryland and Virginia .                           $44.

FIFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Metomkin Inlet , Virginia to and including New River Inlet , North Carolina .   $44.

SIXTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From New River Inlet , North Carolina to and including Jupiter Inlet Light-Station, Florida . Includes part of North Carolina , all of South Carolina , Georgia , and Florida between the limits named. $44.

SEVENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From a point south of Jupiter Inlet Light-Station to Perdido Entrance , Florida . Includes all of the sea and Gulf Coasts of Florida .                                                                                             $44.

EIGHTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From Perdido Entrance , Florida to the Rio Grande, the southern boundary of Texas . Includes all of the Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi River .                                                                          $44.

NINTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Includes all of Lake Michigan, Green Bay and tributary waters.               $44.

TENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Extends from the mouth of the St. Regis River , St. Lawrence River , New York to and including Grassy Island, Detroit River, Michigan. Includes the waters of Lakes Erie and Ontario , and the upper part of the St. Lawrence, the Niagara, and the lower part of the Detroit rivers.                                                                $44.

ELEVENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. Extends from the Grassy Island Light Station, Detroit River , Michigan to the head of Lake Superior including the waters of Lakes St. Clair, Huron, and Superior and the upper part of the Detroit River , the St. Clair and St. Mary’s Rivers, and part of the Straits of Mackinac.                                                              $44.

TWELFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From the boundary between California and Mexico to the boundary between California and Oregon .                                                                                                                                      $44.

THIRTEENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT. From the boundary between California and Oregon to the northern boundary of the United States and includes Alaska . Includes all of Oregon and Washington , and Alaskan waters.              $44.

U. S. Light-House Service District Charts

  Original Lighthouse Photography by Bruce Roberts.

 Bruce Roberts has been a well known and respected lighthouse historian, photographer and author since the subject gained the nation’s interest in the 1980’s. The former Director of Photography and Senior Photographer at Southern Living Magazine, Bruce was also a member of the legendary 1960s photo staff of The Charlotte Observer, which pioneered the use of the 35mm camera and natural light for newspaper photography. For over twenty years, lighthouses have become his favorite subject. His renowned lighthouse photography has appeared in hundreds of books and magazines including Southern Lighthouses and American Lighthouses.  Bruce has also done freelance photography for Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated and many others. He has coauthored numerous best selling lighthouse books as well as numerous other historical books. His photography is respected world wide and some are part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution. He is also a founding charter member of the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society . “Bruce Roberts has earned the right to be acknowledged as one of our era’s most important photojournalists, and although he seldom displays them, he has a room full of awards to prove it.” says co-author Ray Jones.

We have been most fortunate to obtain from Mr. Roberts a selection of his early lighthouse photographs done for his first  lighthouse series with Globe Pequot;  Northern Lighthouses and Southern Lighthouses. These prints were hand printed by Mr. Roberts at the time and all bear his signature on the back. They are all printed on double weight fiber based paper of the same type used for museum archival printing. All are silver prints done by hand and tray processed – an art that is fast fading away today, being replaced by digital photography. Because of the process and paper used, these museum quality prints will last a hundred years into the future.  

Presently we have 37 prints available in 8 x 10 and 11 x 14 format, with pricing from $25 to $125. Light stations include: (Maine) Portland Head (2), Pemaquid Point (3), Portland Breakwater (1) , Owls Head (1), Fort Point (1) , (Mass.) Boston Light (4), Nobska (3), (Conn.) New London (1), (Maryland) Assateague (1),  (Virginia) Portsmouth Lightship (2), Old Point Comfort (1802) (2), Old & New Cape Henry (1), (Georgia) Cockspur Island (1), (Florida) St. Augustine (1), Pensacola (5), Port Boca Grande (Gasparilla Is.) (1), (Alabama) Sand Island (1), Mobile Bay (1), (Texas) Old Point Isabel (shown below) (2), Bolivar Point (shown below) (1),

We have shown just a few here but this medium does not do them justice. When matted and framed, you will have a lovely work of art for your wall. Many more are available. Please ask for specific stations noted above and we will email you images available and pricing. 

Fort Point, Maine 11 x 14 $125,  Pensacola, Fl. 8 x 10 $44,  Old Point Isabel, Texas 6 x 9 $40

 Drum Point (Md), Ponce Inlet (Fl), Jupiter Inlet (Fl), Tybee Island (Ga), Boca Grande (Fl), Hooper's Strait (Md), Sand Island (Al). Please inquire for pricing.

26159. (chart) U. S. Department of Commerce, Weather Bureau. COASTAL WARNING FACILITIES CHART. 1962. Great for framing, these charts show in good detail all of the U. S. Coast Guard light stations (lighthouses), lifeboat stations and light vessels that displayed  day and / or night weather warning signals. Also includes in color a diagram if the weather signals, as well as a complete listing of weather broadcast stations. Two color red-black maps have beautiful contrast and are perfect for framing. Pick the map of your area to locate those old Coast Guard lifeboat stations that no longer exist. Clean, crisp, with original folds but will mount nicely. All measure 12” x 19” unless otherwise noted.

e.        Morgan City, LA to Apalachicola, FL. $24

f.         Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. 12” x 12” $16

Lighthouse & Lightship Trade Cards

Beautiful multi colored trade cards c. 1880’s showing a very nice, close, multi colored images of lighthouses, light-vessels or buoys. These fantastic cards were issued by the Duke Tobacco Co. as an insert premium in their brands of HONEST LONG CUT  and G. W. GAIL & AX’S Tobacco and Cigarettes during 1889. These cards are from a fairly rare series of 25 cards entitled , " LIGHTHOUSES", and are designated as N119 in Burdick’s American Card Catalogue. The front of each card features a colorful die cut image of a particular lighthouse, light-vessel or buoy, while the back features advertising for Duke Tobacco. The lithography for the cards is exceptional, full of vibrant color and detail and was done by the Giles Co of New York . Labeled “Smoke and Chew Honest Long Cut Tobacco” or G. W. Gail & Ax’s Navy on the obverse. Trade cards were used as are our present day advertising or business cards. Nice images, die cut to shape of lighthouse, vessel or buoy. Each approx. 4”w x 2½”h. A very pretty set to collect and display. Extremely difficult to find and a most valuable collector’s item.

#605 

ww. Sandy Hook Lightship. (VG+). $78.

p. Sandy Hook Lightship. (Fine). $78.

c. Bartlett Reef Lightship. (VG-). $68.

eee. Vineyard Sound Lightship. (VG-). $68.

ii. Minot’s Ledge Lighthouse. (VG). $58.

mm. Stratford Shoal Lighthouse. Two folds to base. (VG). $38.

LL. Sanibel Island Lighthouse, Florida . (Fine). $68.

c3. Bell Buoy. (VG+). $54.

nn. Bell Buoy. One fold. (G). $34.  

 CLEARANCE PRICED at Only $7.95 each:

Roberts, Bruce and Ray Jones. Over 80 color and b/w photographs. Soft wraps. Scarce early editions of this author’s earlier works covers the lighthouses along the coasts of the United States . The superb narrative and exquisite photography have made this lighthouse series repeated best sellers. Many signed by the author. (M).  

8264. SOUTHEASTERN LIGHTHOUSES. Outer Banks to Cape Florida . 1998. 92p. (2)

SOUTHERN LIGHTHOUSES. Outer Banks to Cape Florida . 2002. 88p. (2)

8265. GULF COAST LIGHTHOUSES – Florida Keys to the Rio Grande . 1998. 92 p. (2)

7209s. Shelton-Roberts, Cheryl. LIGHTHOUSE FAMILIES. 2006. 210p. Soft cover. Living in a lighthouse was a way of life for the families of more than 5000 keepers and employees of the United States Lighthouse Service. These quiet people faithfully manned their remote outposts and withstood enemy attacks, hurricanes, and dishonest bureaucrats while saving countless thousands of lives. These men, women and children daily experienced physical hardship, round-the-clock work, isolation, and danger - and the strong bond of family. Though the Lighthouse Service no longer exists, many of the children who grew up at these stations do and their stories are preserved for the first time in this remarkable book. Family tales from Pigeon Point California, St. Augustine Florida, Saddleback Ledge Maine, Old Mackinac Point Michigan, Morris Island South Carolina and many more. Illustrated with over 100 family vintage photographs and a beautiful full color photo of the light as it appears today. This is a book that you won’t want to put down. (M). Published at $14.95. Our price $9.95.

U-05. BAR LIGHT-HOUSE, MOUTH OF ST. JOHN ’S RIVER. [ Florida ]. Appleton ’s Picturesque America. 1872. Full page beautiful hand-colored engraving of the abandoned Bar Light-House framed with palm trees, a sandy beach and a glimpse of the ocean. 7” x 10”. Quite clean, crisp, most attractive for framing and display. (VG+). $45.

 U-04. MOUTH OF THE ST. JOHN ’S RIVER – LOOKING OUT. [ Florida ]. Appleton ’s Picturesque America. 1872. Half page beautiful hand-colored engraving of the shoreline with the St. John’s River Bar Light House just beyond in the dunes, with the sandy beach and a glimpse of the ocean in the foreground. 4” x 9 ½” . Quite clean, crisp, most attractive for framing and display. (VG+). $38.

2907. Barnette, Michael. Florida's Shipwrecks. Arcadia. 2008. 128p. Soft wraps. 200 vintage photographs. The Sunshine State has a rich maritime history spanning more than five centuries. Tragically, part of that history includes thousands of ships that have met their fates in Florida waters. Potentially more than 5,000 shipwrecks reside off Florida’s 1,200 miles of coastline, with hundreds more lost in the state’s interior rivers. In and of itself, the Florida Keys archipelago, consisting of approximately 1,700 islands stretching 200 miles, is littered with the remains of close to 1,000 shipwrecks. In fact, many features of the Florida Keys were named after various shipwreck events, such as Fowey Rocks, which earned its name after the 1748 wrecking of the British warship HMS Fowey, and Alligator Reef, where the schooner USS Alligator met her demise in 1822. Florida’s Shipwrecks utilizes captivating images to illustrate dramatic stories of danger and peril at sea, introducing readers to a fascinating cross-section of Florida’s shipwreck history. This interesting volume draws from public and private collections, most never before published. Superb photographs of the station, keepers, equipment  and more, well worth it. (M). $19.99.

28300. DeWire, Elinore. LIGHTHOUSES OF THE SOUTH – Your Guide to the Lighthouses of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Stillwater . 2004. 160 p. DJ. A Pictorial Discovery Guide. A fresh look at the history and technological evolution of lighthouses in the area, the development of apparatus, architecture, construction and maintenance on their remote sites, the daily life of the keepers and much more. The author presents an exciting history illustrated with stunning photographs, historical anecdotes, architectural details and local legends. Lavishly illustrated, an excellent text on the subject and guide for the area. (M). Published at $29.95. Our Price $21.95.

28169. Thurlow, Sandra Henderson and Deanna Wintercorn. GILBERT’S BAR HOUSE OF REFUGE – Home of History. Stuart. 2008. 96p. Soft wraps. The Houses of Refuge in Florida were a series of stations operated by the United States Life Saving Service along the coast of Florida to rescue and shelter ship-wrecked sailors. Five houses were built on the east coast in 1876, with five more added in 1885. There was also two Life Saving Stations built, one just south of the Jupiter Inlet, the other on the Gulf coast on Santa Rosa Island near Pensacola. The houses were manned by civilian keepers, contractors who lived in the houses with their families. Most of these houses remained in service as life-saving stations until 1915 or later. Some of the locations became United States Coast Guard stations after the Life Saving Service was merged into the Coast Guard in 1915.Today, only one remains – Gilbert’s Bar. This rare and wonderful account of the life and work at these lonely outposts is long overdue. (M). $16.95.

27108. Roberts, William. LIGHTHOUSES AND LIVING ALONG THE FLORIDA GULF COAST. Bloomington. 2005. 97p. Soft wraps. Signed by the author. Here is a true story of the Roberts family's three generations of lighthouse keepers in the U. S. Lighthouse Service. Their dedication and devotion began in 1894 when grandfather was assigned to the Cape St. George Lighthouse in Apalachicola, Florida, and lasted over fifty-eight years and three generations. This account, recorded by a family member, includes their lighthouses, family lives, maintaining and  operating the lighthouses, as well as childhood stories of his  growing up on lighthouse stations during the depression years of the late 1920's and 1930's. (M). $21.95.

26264. Snyder, James D. A LIGHT IN THE WILDERNESS The Story of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & the Southeast Florida Frontier.  North Pa lm Beach . 2006. 287p. DJ. Filled with vintage photographs. In his fourth book about South Florida’s rich history, James D. Snyder explores the role of the Jupiter Lighthouse and how it transformed the southeastern coast of Florida . $35,000 was provided by Congress in 1853 for establishing a lighthouse “near Jupiter inlet, to mark the dangerous shoals lying of that point, and to guide vessels along that coast.” With the completion of the lighthouse plans, five hundred tons of building materials were assembled and shipped to the  Indian River inlet using shallow draft scows. However, in 1855, just as construction on the tower had started, a group of careless surveyors in the  Everglades destroyed the prized banana plants of Chief Billy Bowlegs, touching off the Third Seminole War. Despite these difficulties, and a combination of malaria and yellow fever, brick by brick, the tower slowly rose to its preordained height of 108 feet. A two-story dwelling for a head keeper and two assistants was built near the base of the hill in 1859. After $60, 859.98, almost twice the original appropriation, was spent on the construction work, the lighthouse finally commenced operation on July 10, 1860. With more than seventy rare photos, maps and letters, Mr. Snyder will describe how the lighthouse construction progressed, and how the region survived the aftermath of the Civil War and built the steamboat-railroad link that brought the first influx of pioneers to this “Garden of Eden.” (M). $27.95.  

25213. Taylor, Thomas W. KEY WEST LIGHTHOUSE: A LIGHT IN PARADISE. 2005. 141 p. Soft wraps. Key West in the Florida Keys is the southernmost city in the continental United States. It history is replete with stories of pirates, hurricanes, and shipwrecks. Soon after Florida became a territory of the United States, lighthouse was built on Key West in 1826 to serve as a primary aid to navigation to help reduce the number of shipwrecks. This lighthouse was destroyed by the hurricane of 1846 but was replaced by a tower which survives today. Thomas Taylor’s new book Key West Lighthouse: A Light in Paradise brings to life the history of this unique lighthouse and the tropical setting in which it is located. The book includes a number of historic photographs of the lighthouse and details the lives of its keepers. Well done by this noted historian and writer. (M). $19.95.

2057. Hairr, John. FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSES. Arcadia Publishing. 1999. 126p. Soft wraps. Another from the Images of America Series, this book is a fascinating visual tour of the lighthouses that dot the Florida coast from Amelia Island to Pensacola and the people who maintained them. The history of Florida's Lighthouse past and present is compiled in an array of vintage photographs that tell the tale of a maritime era of long ago and the lighthouses of Florida that once guided mariners to safety. (M). $18.99

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All text and illustrations on web site Ó James W. Claflin . 12/30/2020 All rights reserved. Use prohibited without written permission.