Friday, September 4, 2015

Cape San Blas Lighthouse- Port St. Joe, Florida

Today I thought that I would share the last of our vacation photos before I begin with projects around the house and fall decorating. If you are a history buff like I am then you will enjoy this post. If you just love lighthouses and farmhouses then just look at the pics!;)
Places To Visit- Forgotten Coast-Cape San Blas Lighthouse- Port St. Joe, Florida-From My Front Porch To Yours
While vacationing in Mexico Beach, FL we visited the Cape San Blas Lighthouse. There is quite a story behind this lighthouse that I learned about after we visited. 1851 in Cape San Blas the original lighthouse was built to warn sailors of dangerous underwater shoals off the coast. In 1855 a hurricane destroyed the original lighthouse.1860 a second lighthouse was completed to only be destroyed a few months later by a gall that came thru. Yet again another lighthouse was erected just before the Civil War. During the Civil War Confederate soldiers came and destroyed everything surrounding the lighthouse.
Lighthouse Restoration-Cape San Blas Lighthouse- Port St. Joe, Florida-From My Front Porch To Yours
As if the Civil War were not enough in 1870 the lighthouse was once again in danger and over the next two years ended up standing in 8feet of ocean water due to erosion. Sadly the light house fell into the sea by 1880.
Places to visit in Mexico Beach, Fl-farmhouse-Cape San Blas Lighthouse- Port St. Joe, Florida-From My Front Porch To Yours
In 1885 a fourth and final light house was erected and moved two more times to protect it from erosion. This is the lighthouse that now stands in Port St. Joe.  
History-Cape San Blas Lighthouse- Port St. Joe, Florida-From My Front Porch To Yours
The lighthouse and the two keepers quarters were moved from Cape San Blas in 2014 to protect them from a further eroding coast line and now rest in Port St Joe looking out on the bay. 
Farmhouse-Places to visit-Cape San Blas Lighthouse- Port St. Joe, Florida-From My Front Porch To Yours
The original keepers quarters had been lost thru the years and from what I have read I believe that the two that stand now were built in 1904. 
Farmhouse-Cape San Blas Lighthouse- Port St. Joe, Florida
They were restored respectively in 1999 and in 2005. As you can see they are in desperate need of restoration once again.
Places to visit-Famrhouse-Cape San Blas Lighthouse- Port St. Joe, Florida-From My Front Porch To Yours
Though in despair I still find these homes quite charming and can imagine what they were like in their day.
Famrhouse-Cape San Blas Lighthouse- Port St. Joe, Florida-From My Front Porch To Yours
The keeper quarters remind me of old farmhouses' that I love so much. From what I gather reading bits and pieces here and there, there are people who were in favor of the move and then those opposed to the move of the lighthouse. Those opposed wanted to keep it in Cape San Blas. My info is just from what I remember reading. If you know more about this lighthouse and its history please do share! 

Chippy farmhouse table legs- From My Front Porch To Yours

In my next post I will share what my plans are for these chippy old table legs!


4 comments:

  1. How interesting about the light house. Love these old historical things. Ohhhhhh I cannot wait to see what you do with those lovely chippy legs.
    Kris

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  2. I grew up in the Florida Panhandle, and my sorority's house mother was from Port St. Joe. This is such a beautiful area, but as many times as I've been through there, I don't recall seeing the lighthouse! Huh! Thanks for showing me something new, and glad you had a good visit!

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  3. I love lighthouses!!!....thanks for the feature on this one...can't wait to see what you are going to do with those pretty "legs"....

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  4. Love Cape San Blas and Port St. Joe. We used to try to visit once a year when we lived in Georgia. The beaches were gorgeous and it was never crowded. I don't think we ever visited the lighthouse though. I'll have to remember it if we ever visit again. Thanks for sharing.

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