CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

At 175 feet in height (53 m) , the Ponce de Leon lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in the state of Florida and one of the tallest in the United States. Completed in 1887, the lamp could be seen 17 nautical miles / 20 miles away (32 km).

Ponce de Leon Inlet, Florida
November, 2018

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse by Paul Sager, on Flickr


The original lamp burned kerosene; in 1909 it was replaced with an incandescent oil vapor lamp. In 1924 a generator was installed to provide electricity in the keepers' dwellings and to pump water, replacing an old windmill pump. The lighthouse beacon was electrified in 1933 with a 500-watt lamp.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse


Ponce de Leon Inlet Light is located between the St. Augustine Light and the Cape Canaveral Light, on the Atlantic Coast of Central Florida. Restored by the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association, the lighthouse became a National Historic Landmark in 1998.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse


The original 1867 Barbier et Fenestre first order fixed lens (installed 1887), and 1860 "Henry Lepaute" rotating first order Fresnel lens used at Cape Canaveral Light Station are both on display at the museum.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse


In 1939 The lighthouse was transferred from the disbanded United States Lighthouse Service to the United States Coast Guard, which would oversee it for the next three decades.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse


Images from this post were captured with a Canon EOS 5DIII using the EF 35mm f/1.4L USM. Processing was performed in Adobe Lightroom and noise processing on all images performed using Topaz Denoise v6.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse



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Silverman Loc: Michigan

Yes, my family and I visited this Light house in 2018, and I at then 67 years old and a history of Heart issues, climbed that 103 stairs, slowly, but I did it, with my daughter close behind, just in case 😊

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Very interesting, Paul--nice photos, too. It’s a beautiful sight. I was there and climbed to the top many years ago; apparently you did, too. I talked to some of the old local people at the time who told me the area was once called Mosquito Bay.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Been there MANY times!

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Very nice I to like too photograph light house when I get a chance to. They certainly have interesting history, plus they have stood the test of time.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Paul
Very good pics!
Bravo Zulu,
JimmyT Sends

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Paul....love the series and the story of the Lighthouse!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

A really nice series, Paul.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good series, Paul.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Paul, another great series and story

I worked at cape Canaveral for three years while stationed at Patrick in Cocoa Beach. At that time I was not interested in lighthouses, but now I am, and wish I was then. I didn't even take any pictures. Well I was there the ratio of women to men was three women to one man you can understand why and where my mind was. It wasn't in photography. That was in 65 to 67.

Thanks for posting and sharing, really enjoyed it.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Enjoyed this lighthouse!
I like your documentation style as well.
I have only visited a one of Florida lights.
I need to go back to see more.
Pat

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Silverman! I climbed every lighthouse that was open for investigation, passing or being passed by all sorts. The light and museum at Ponce de Leon was one of the best.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you John! The St Augustine light started an interest in visiting all the lighthouses I could find on my travels through Florida last fall.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Frank! I think most of the restorations started in the 80s and 90s, so there might not have been much to see in the earlier days. The beaches would have been a better choice.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Pat! You can find a website that lists all of the lights in Florida, some are open to the public, some you can reach only if you have your own boat. The museum and restored buildings at Ponce de Leon really made the visit great.