'Newspg12.indd' by The Newscaster

1882. The next tower, a skeleton tower of iron, and two dwellings for keepers were erected

1885 and the new light was first displayed on June 30, 1885. However, erosion problems

continued to plague the lighthouse and keepers quarters when the structures again were

moved in 1919 to the current site on Elgin Air Force base property. When Hurricane Isaac

threatened the light in 2012, the city and Board of County Commissioners submitted com-

peting proposals to obtain the lighthouse and buildings. The City received a Christmas gift

in 2012 when the Department of the Interior deeded the lighthouse and ancillary buildings

to the City of Port St. Joe.

Following a two year planning and fund raising project, the iron skeleton light-

house, keepers cottages, and brick oil house were moved to Ship-Yard Cove and George

Core Park on the waterfront of Port St. Joe on July 15th. The cost of the relocation had a

price tag of $700,000. The "Lady of the Lighthouse," Beverly Douds, expressed the hope

that this is the final move for this 100-year old landmark.

The move got underway at 8:00 AM on Tuesday when the firm of Ducky Johnson

House Movers from Jackson County, Florida, gave the signal to move out. Although it was

startling to see the roof and chimney of the keeper s cottages emerge from the trees, it was

the skeleton lighthouse which took away the

breath of the spectaculars.

Out of the trees came the 100-foot

 

long 60-ton intact tower resting on its side on

a flat bed trailer. The sole job of one of John-



son s moving crew was to stabilize the load



to accommodate the changes in the road bed



and distribute the load evenly. But the great-



est heart stopping moment came when the

flat bed conveying the light tower navigated



a tight left-hand turn to leave County Road

30E and proceed onto CR 30A to head north

The remainder of the move went smoothly and the 900-foot convoy arrived in

downtown Port St. Joe at 3:30 PM. The lighthouse, keeper s cottages, and oil house will be

Capt Craig Spitznogle of Florida Flats Charter Co and his Daughter Keira. "My daughter Keira

in place and open for visitors by the end of July. For more information info@visitgulf.com.

and I with a 27" redfish caught in the back of Lowes Bay."

Photo: Archival photo from the original lighthouse and buildings.

BUDDY & FRED'S HARDWARE

Captains Cove Outfitters





39 W. Hwy. 40 · Inglis, FL · (352) 447-5610

    

More Than A Bait Store



               



Even though we have a great bait selection!

Grouper Season Opens July 1!



We a great selection of

 

 Grouper Rods & Reels



   

Serving Inglis, Yankeetown, Dunnellon, Hernando, Crystal River & Homosassa

PhoOrwell489-4588 Fax (727) 362-4788

 ne  Pt., Homosassa,Captains Cove Outfitters

    (Tomour Website, www.thenewscaster.com M-Sa 5:45-6pm Sun. 5:45-5pm

VisitRussell, Publisher) thenewscaster1@gmail.com

   mail(Debbie Russell, debbienewscaster@gmail.com Top Shelf Dealer

   Editor)

Costa 580 P Dealer

Get Up    

 to $20 in Free Fittings

All Our Staff are Fishermen

  

Local Guides Available

Ad Proof for Business Card Ad

 to start in our Wednesday, March We 2014 issue. Family Friendly Atmosphere

26, have a Clean

Top Quality rods & reels for beginners

       

to experts. Large selection of Saltwater Tackle



Inglis Super Stop Restaurant



Cafe-Deli Open 5 am - 8 pm



BUDDY & FRED'S HARDWARE

Subs and Fried Chicken



44 Hwy. 19 N. · Inglis, FL · 352-447-2600

Stop a visit the "Beer Cave"

 

Store open 5 a.m. - 10pm.





PURPLE DEGREASER

1.0 gallon - $ 5.83           

2.5 gallon - $12.83                  Shell Gas