As a symbol of our community’s patriotism, the City of Sanibel Public Works staff placed red, white and blue bunting upon the Lighthouse and both Caretaker’s Cottages.
For the first time in 132 years, the Sanibel Lighthouse has been decorated with Independence Day patriotic bunting. The Sanibel Island Lighthouse was built in 1884 and was one of the first lighthouses on Florida’s Gulf coast north of Key West and the Dry Tortugas. After having been under ownership of the Coast Guard, in 2004, the Sanibel Lighthouse was given to the City of Sanibel. The Lighthouse was last restored in 2013 and has been a recognized icon of Sanibel for many years.
The holiday decorations will remain on the Lighthouse and Cottages until July 7, 2017.
Submitted by City of Sanibel Manager’s Office, June 20, 2017
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U.S. Lighthouse Society News is produced by the U.S. Lighthouse Society to support lighthouse preservation, history, education and research. Please consider joining the U.S. Lighthouse Society if you are not already a member. If you have items of interest to the lighthouse community and its supporters, please email them to candace@uslhs.org.
Candace was the US Lighthouse Society historian from 2016 until she passed away in August 2018. For 30 years, her work involved lighthouse history. She worked with the National Park Service and the Council of American Maritime Museums. She was a noted author and was considered the most knowledgable person on lighthouse information at the National Archives. Books by Candace Clifford include: Women who Kept the Lights: a History of Thirty-eight Female Lighthouse Keepers , Mind the Light Katie, and Maine Lighthouses, Documentation of their Past.
Too bad it is NOT open to the public. Seems ashamed to restore it then only open once in awhile for one or two days.
What a beautiful idea! Especially in these times of tumult and mistrust, this splendid show of patriotism brings a much-needed warmth to my heart! Well done!