Cape San Blas Lighthouse

The Cape San Blas Lighthouse was built more than 130 years ago when Congress appropriated $8,000 to erect the original structure. It was designed to guide vessels around the shoals running out from the Cape using the sole beacon that could be seen for up to 10 miles offshore.

Rich with history, including an attack by Union Troops in 1862, the structure has survived a series of blows from storms, winds and high surf throughout the years.

Cape San Blas is a dangerous shoal that extends over five miles into the Gulf, east of the port of Panama City and west of the port of Apalachicola. In 1847 the first lighthouse was constructed there. After a storm toppled it into the sea in 1851, Congress authorized a second one which was completed in 1856, just as the great storm of 1856 arrived in the area and toppled it into the sea.

The Lighthouse Board then built a third brick tower in 1859, but that was burned at the start of the Civil War. After the war, the lighthouse was lighted in 1865 and a new keeper’s home added in 1870. This tower was toppled by encroaching waters in 1882.

In 1885 a movable 96′ iron skeleton tower was erected 900′ from the Gulf. By 1894, the water was again washing away the foundation and in 1918 the tower was again moved 1,850′ from the water.

Mother Nature continued her own onslaught and Tropical Storm Isaac reclaimed the remaining shoreline forcing the lighthouse to close temporarily in 2012.

In honor of its historic and iconic presence, the City of Port St. Joe successfully moved the lighthouse to its protective shores on St. Joseph Bay to preserve and maintain the beloved structure.

On July 15, 2014, hundreds of people watched as the Lighthouse, its two Keepers’ Quarters and Oil House made its journey into Port St. Joe. The convoy, which was over 900 feet long and two lanes wide, was moved from the Gulf shores of Cape San Blas to its new location. The choreographed moving process took an entire day and required multiple power lines and a traffic light to be moved to accommodate the convoy on their safe journey. Locals and visitors alike were applauding with relief and pride as it came to its final stop in George Core Park. Hundreds gathered once again on July 24 to observe the Lighthouse as it was erected onto its new platform.

On the weekend of September 12, 2014, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the 18th Annual Florida Scallop & Music Festival, 249 climbers came out to be the first to take in the new breathtaking viewpoint of St. Joseph Bay from the top of the historic Lighthouse.

Where it is:

The lighthouse is located in George Core Park located at 200 Miss Zola’s Dr. in Port St. Joe.

Maps:

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GPS:

29°48’47.352″ N 85°18’23.658″ W

The Cape San Blas Light is a lighthouse in the state of Florida in the United States. There were four built between 1849 and 1885. It was located at Cape San Blas in the northwestern part of the state. Due to beach erosion and weather damage over the decades, it was moved in 2014 to Port St. Joe. The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Cape San Blas Lighthouse Photo Gallery

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