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Photo courtesy of the Florida Division of Historical Resources.
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Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse took seven years to build due to delays from silting of the inlet and the Third Seminole War. Designed by George Meade, who became a famous Civil War general, the 105-foot tower was lit in 1860 but Confederate sympathizers disabled the light in 1861. Activated again in 1866, its beacon could be seen from 25 miles at sea. A 1928 hurricane smashed one of the first-order Fresnel lens bull’s-eyes and disabled the generator. The 16-year-old son of the keeper turned the light manually for two days, even though the tower swayed 17 inches from vertical. The repaired bull’s-eye still works today and may be seen by visitors.
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