From reading different accounts of the history of this lighthouse, it seems that there was a difficult time getting the tower built. Plans for the tower were completed in 1853, but the inlet silted shut by 1854, so the supplies had to be rerouted down the Indian River instead. Then by 1856, the Third Seminole War was going on, so the tower was delayed again. By 1860, the tower was completed and lit.
During the Civil War, the Confederates disabled the light fearing that it could be used for navigation by Union ships. After the war, the lighthouse was put back into service.
The tower is is 105 feet tall, but because it is built on an earthen mound, its focal plane is 146 feet above sea level. With the First Order Fresnel lens, the light is visible 25 miles out to sea.
The lighthouse is open for tours, however, when I was there visiting, the lighthouse was closed for the day. The lighthouse is open Saturday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information call (561) 747-8380.
Directions: From I-95, near the town of Jupiter, get off at route 706 heading east and follow that to Route 1. Take Route 1 north to Route 707 / A1A. Once on 707, take a quick right onto Captain Armours Way. This leads you to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. We arrived after close. The lighthouse was visible from the parking lot, but the photo opportunities weren't that great. We headed to the other side of the inlet, at the end of Yarborough Street, to get some better shots. I had to use a 500mm telephoto lens, but was very pleased with the shots that I was able to take.
View more Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse pictures