Forgotten Tales Of The Sanibel Island Lighthouse

The historic Sanibel Lighthouse, also known as The Sanibel Island Light is an iconic Sanibel Island landmark with forgotten tales to tell

Forgotten Tales Of The Sanibel Island Lighthouse

The historic Sanibel Lighthouse built in 1884, was one of the first lighthouses on the Gulf Coast. Residents of Sanibel had been campaigning for a lighthouse since 1833 but, the $50,000 needed to build the lighthouse was not granted until 1883. The 98-foot tall iron structure was complete and was lit on August 20th, 1884 by the first lighthouse keeper Dudley Richardson. Yet, there is more to the story of the historic Sanibel Lighthouse and its delivery to Sanibel. Join us as we reveal one of the forgotten tales of the Sanibel Island Lighthouse.

Directions

The historic Sanibel Lighthouse is located on the East end of the Island. When you come off the causeway turn left at the four-way stop on Periwinkle Way. Follow Periwinkle all the way down until you come to Lighthouse Beach Park. The lighthouse sits at the Eastern end.

Parking & Facilities

There are three pay-and-display parking lots. Periwinkle Way dead ends into one of the lots and there are two by the fishing pier. One main parking lot is closest to the fishing pier, the smaller of the two is an overflow lot.

There are 170 parking spaces, two dedicated RV spots and 5 handicap spots.

Parking is $5 per hour payable by credit card or cash at a kiosk.

Lighthouse Beach Park has picnic tables, outdoor grills, restrooms & outdoor showers, bike racks and a very popular fishing pier.

Sanibel Lighthouse
112 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
239-472-3700

The Cape San Blas Lighthouse
200 Miss Zola’s Dr, Port St Joe, FL 32456
850-229-8261

Learn More About The Cape San Blas Lighthouse
Learn More About Sanibel History
Learn More About The Lighthouse Beach
Purchase “The Sanibel Lighthouse, A Complete History”
– By Longtime Lighthouse Resident, Charles LeBuff

The Sanibel Lighthouse was finally approved and contracted to Phoenix Iron Company, based out of Pennsylvania on August 29, 1883. Construction began in early 1884 and simultaneously, a dock was being built on Sanibel to welcome the long-awaited lighthouse on its completion. By mid-1984, the lighthouse was ready to be delivered and was set sail on The Martha M. Heath sailing schooner. The journey was almost completed when approximately two miles from Sanibel the boat hit a shoal, ran aground and the lighthouse was tipped into the Gulf of Mexico.

Lighthouse tenders were quickly dispatched from Key West to start a recovery mission. A hard-hat diver was able to retrieve all but two small gallery brackets. Fortunately, the lost pieces were able to be remanufactured by a company in New Orleans. Finally on August 20, 1884, despite its rocky start, the lighthouse was lit and running under the watchful eye of lighthouse keeper Dudley Richardson.

A little-known secret is that traveling with the Sanibel Lighthouse was another identical lighthouse! The Cape San Blas Lighthouse was bound for Port. St. Joe in the Florida Panhandle. Luckily, the sister lighthouse was also recovered. Further construction was delayed due to a malaria outbreak and severe drought so the sister lighthouse was still not in use.

Finally, on June 30, 1885, The Cape San Blas’s was lit! Unfortunately, 33 years later in 1918, the lighthouse was moved 1857 feet inland due to coastal erosion and relit on January 22, 1919. 95 years later on July 15, 2014 it was moved once again to George Core Park where it now resides. Though it is no longer a working lighthouse, you can visit it and go inside and take the trip up the spiral staircase to the impressive views at the top. Visit Cap San Blas.

Old picture of the Sanibel Lighthouse on Sanibel Island

About Charles LeBuff

After moving to Florida in 1952, Charles LeBuff started a long federal career with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, in 1958 he was selected to fill a position on Sanibel at the National Wildlife Refuge, now known as the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge, where he spent 32 years as a Wildlife Technician. During this time, Charles and his family were housed at the Sanibel Lighthouse in one of the Lighthouse cottages where the refuge had it’s headquarters for 22 years. Also a successful author, Charles penned a wonderful book about the Sanibel Light House called “The Sanibel Lighthouse, A Complete History”. This book is one of the most popular books about the Sanibel Lighthouse and can be purchased HERE.

Restaurants Near The Historic Sanibel Lighthouse

Lighthouse Cafe
362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
239-472-0303
Visit Lighthouse Cafe Website

The Lighthouse Café is quaint and fun with a huge selection of food. And because they serve breakfast all day, there are even more choices at every meal. The food is well-portioned for the price, and they have a great mix of standard fare and quirky items that showcase their proximity to the sea. Try the incredible Eggs Benedict with its delicious sauce – and definitely ask for it “Lighthouse style” so it comes on a croissant.

Guide to Sanibel Restaurants
Guide to Captiva Restaurants
Guide To Waterfront Dining

Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream
362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
239-472-0796
Visit Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream Website

If there’s something better than ice cold ice cream after a long, hot day on the beach, we don’t know what it is. Thankfully, Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream lives up to its name. They’re located right next to the Lighthouse Cafe and feature a fantastic array of original and unique homemade ice creams. They also serve made-to-order French baguette sandwiches, quiches and a variety of chocolates.

Guide to Sanibel Restaurants
Guide to Captiva Restaurants
Guide To Waterfront Dining