Lighthouse News

A collection of lighthouse related links for you to peruse and enjoy

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New Federal Protection For Two Lighthouses

May 9, 2008 - President signs bill designating Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse as an Outstanding Natural Area.

What do two lighthouses on opposite ends of the country have in common? Especially since one has all its parts in place and the other is missing its lantern? Well, they both have been named as Outstanding Natural Areas, and are just awaiting the presidential signature to formalize it. Jupiter Inlet (Florida) and Piedros Blancas (California) Lighthouses will join Yaquina Head Lighthouse with this new designation, which puts them in the same class as a national monument. Lighthouse News reported on the progress last October for Jupiter Inlet (pictured at left). Piedras Blancas was featured here in a story about the return of its lantern.

Highest Tides in the World One Factor

Situated at the end of Sand Point Beach in the Bay of Fundy at Minas Basin, Five Islands Lighthouse (Nova Scotia) Preservation Society is setting the stage for another move. The lighthouse, last moved in 1996 due to the “highest tides in the world,” is once again sitting perilously close to the edge. However, a bigger determining factor is its location on a private campground. The Society would like to see it moved to public land owned by Colchester County to guarantee future accessibility by the public to this pepper-pot style lighthouse.

Tchefuncte River Lighthouse Work Begins

After delays caused by the two infamous 2005 hurricanes (Katrina and Rita), restoration work on the land at the Tchefuncte River Rear Range Lighthouse (Madisonville, Louisiana) is underway. Recent plantings of cypress trees by volunteers are the humble beginnings of a project that aims to reduce the erosion and make the light accessible again. The lighthouse has been subjected to erosion over the years, and all that remains of access is a privately owned marshland behind it.

Do You Offer Lighthouse Related Goods or Services?

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Phillippine Lighthouse Will Maintain Rustic Look

The ruins of the 18th century Spanish lighthouse at Sitio Guisi, Barangay Dolores, Nueva Valencia on the island of Guimaras might be rehabilitated into an observation deck for tourists if the Department of Tourism Secretary has his way. According to a story at The News Today, Secretary Joseph Ace Durano wants to rehabilitate the ruins of the Lusaran Point lighthouse, while at the same time maintaining the “rustic look” of the site. Plans are to turn it into a viewing deck for tourists. The Tourism Department will provide the funding for this project.

Own a Lighthouse For a Day

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, in an effort to garner funds for their restoration projects, has decided to offer corporate sponsorships to local businesses near South Portland, ME. Businesses such as auto dealers, banks, insurance companies and restaurants are being sent a package with details on how they can have a banner wrapped around the lighthouse for a Saturday, during the height of summer’s tourist season. These sponsorships will cost $1500 USD and will also include the right to post signs at the ticket booth and include their logo on printed materials for the open house. The company and its employees will get a private tour of the lighthouse and free tickets to the open house.

Development Limited

The World Heritage listed Guia Lighthouse will not have to bow to developers after all. In recent news out of China, the UNESCO protected site will not fall prey to developers seeking to build high rise housing units around the lighthouse and fort, and instead will be forced to limit the heights based on their locations from the historic beacon. Buildings in the 1,400 meter (about 4600 feet) area just under the Guia lighthouse that goes from the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf to the Tap Seac Square will be subject to a new height limit under the new government regulations, director of the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau, Jaime Carion, said. The buffer zone was also extended, from 2 meters (6 1/2 feet) to 2.8 meters (9 feet) and is described as a cone-like shape, wtih varying heights allowed.

Updated April 9:

The Grand Manan Village Council listened to its residents and has decided to retain ownership of the Swallowtail Lightkeeper’s house and surrounding property. The vote to reopen the discussion on what to do with this heavily vandalized property was unanimous.Mayor Dennis Greene said he’s a firm believer in listening to the people, and statedit was apparent other councilpersons felt the same way. Resident and council candidate Theresa McFarland, who led the petition drive, said that if people had known there wasn’t enough in the budget to care for this house properly, perhaps people would have stepped up before this to help save it. The Council will be meeting with members in June to discuss what to do with the house and land. McFarland is organizing a cleanup committee and a preservation committee.

US Lighthouse Society Moves To New Home

What a view from their new office! The US Lighthouse Society has moved from San Francisco, CA to Hansville, WA. A dramatic move to be sure, but one made even more dramatic by the new view out of their windows. The Society on Thursday signed a lease with Kitsap County commissioners establishing their new partnership, and getting cool new digs in the process. Point No Point Lighthouse former Keepers quarters ( a duplex) will be the new home, with the Society offices, library and museum in one half, and the other half kept open for the public to rent. Jeff Gales, Executive Director of the USLHS, hopes to start rentals by mid-May, with information posted on their website.