Collectibles
Harbour Lights - Cape St. George Light, Florida
- Item Number
- 151
- Estimated Value
- 59 USD
- Sold
- 15 USD to roryk1
- Number of Bids
- 1 - Bid History
Item Description
The Cape St. George Lighthouse has had more than its share of hard knocks. Hurricane Opal took a huge swipe in 1995. Then subsequent storms left the 750-ton structure clinging to the eroding shore at a precarious 8-10 degree slant. The interior of the tower could actually be reached by climbing through the foundation. It looked like this beacon of hope was about to give up all hope and surrender to the Gulf of Mexico.
In stepped the campaign to "Save the Light," a group of concerned citizens in the nearby town of Apalachicola. Their first job was to convince the public that the light was indeed worth saving. Skeptics pointed out that it was only accessible by boat or a swampy mosquito-ridden one mile hike. Proponents countered that more and more people wanted to explore sites off the tourist bus-beaten track.
They also pointed to the light's rich history. Cape St. George was the site of the horrible wreck of the Tiger in 1766. All the crew and passengers, marooned on the island, starved to death - except for one man and one woman. Yet it wasn't until 1833 that the first lighthouse warned mariners of the barrier islands dangers. Storms took their toll, but the third tower, built in 1852, managed to survive. Today it holds the honor of being Florida's oldest "as built" lighthouse. It was automated in 1949 and abandoned in 1994 by the Coast Guard.
Tens of thousands of dollars were raised, enabling the Cape St. George lighthouse to be ever so carefully straightened.
The lighthouse is depicted here as it clung to the vanishing shore, somewhere between two destinies. We are happy to report that it stands much taller and prouder today.
Item Special Note
HL #633, 2001 regional event exclusive. In original box.
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