Jupiter Lighthouse and Museum

We survived the storm!  Maggie didn't like the blowing wind and shaking trailer so she had to have a nerve pill or two but, otherwise, everything turned out fine.  The predicted 8 inches of rain never happened here in Juno Beach.  An hour or two north of here, they received 12 inches of rain and significant wind damage though.  On Friday, before the really strong wind arrived, we went just up the road from us and visited the Jupiter Lighthouse and Museum.

It was built in 1860 at a cost of $60,000 and is still a working lighthouse today.

We started out in the small museum where we learned all about the history and importance of the lighthouse in the 19th century and then in the 20th century during World War II.  The building housing the museum were former Coast Guard barracks during WWII.  No pictures allowed inside the museum though!

The sign explains it all!

As we waited for the group ahead of us to descend (and make room for us!) we examined the huge Banyon tree growing at the base of the lighthouse.  They often have weddings here now.  The original lighthouse keeper's house was located in this area but burned down many years ago.

George Meade's original plans are displayed here too.

Soon we were beginning our climb.

105 steps to the top!  The original keepers of the lighthouse had to climb these steps every 2 or 3 hours to re-fuel the light.  Lard was the first fuel used and then kerosene.

Fortunately, there were landings every 25 steps, so we could suck in some air and check out the view from 4 different directions on the compass.

With some huffing and puffing we made it to the top!

There was a fabulous view of the Loxahatchee River on it's way to the Atlantic.

The light (all the glass still original from 1860) from the lighthouse can be seen 25 miles out at sea.

This is still an active station and the houses below are occupied by Coast Guard families.  They keep the lighthouse shining.  Fortunately for them, the lighthouse runs on electricity now so no more running up the stairs all night long!

Our time was soon up and it was back down the stairs.

But wait - we had more stairs!  Back at the museum they awarded certificates to us saying "I Survived The Climb!"

We really enjoyed our visit to the Jupiter Lighthouse but it wasn't over.  The Tindall Pioneer Homestead, built in 1892, is also located on the grounds - but I'll save that for another day.