The Sanibel Lighthouse is located on the eastern end of the 12-mile long island. The idea to build the Lighthouse was first proposed by some of the settlers of the island in 1833, when they petitioned for one to be built. Along the way there were other recommendations for a lighthouse to be built. After the Civil War, there was a request made with the idea that it would cause an increase in trade, and travelers would be able to find the Island more easily. However, no real action was taken until 1883 when Sanibel finally received the $50,000 they needed to fund construction. The building of the Lighthouse finally started in February of 1884. Although they faced complications along the way, in only a few short months the Lighthouse was finally completed. It was first lit on August 20th, 1884 with kerosene oil. In order to get to the top of the Lighthouse, the lighthouse keeper had to walk up an external spiral staircase.
The original keeper was Dudley Richardson, who was the keeper from 1884-1892. In 1888, Henry Shanahan moved to the Island and became the assistant to the keeper. After Richardson retired, Shanahan applied for the role as keeper, and eventually was given that position. Along the way there were other people who lived on the island who took over the job. In 1946, a Coast Guardsman by the name of Bob England took over the job. A hurricane had hit the Island while he was keeper and it caused a lot of erosion to the Lighthouse. Due to the fact that there was so much erosion it was decided that the Lighthouse would become automated. England’s job as keeper was discontinued when the Lighthouse became officially automated in 1949.
In 1972, the Coast Guard had proposed to discontinue the running of the Lighthouse, however mariners and people that lived on the Island had opposing ideas. They ended up convincing them not to move forward. In 1982, people were able to live in the development by the Lighthouse for free in exchange for helping to maintain the area around it. After being owned by the Coast Guard, the Lighthouse was finally given to the City of Sanibel in 2004. The City had raised money to fix up the Lighthouse, and in 2013 they finally raised enough money to restore the building.
Fun Facts:
The cost to restore the lighthouse in 2013 was $269,563.
Shanahan was originally denied the position as keeper because he was illiterate.
After the Lighthouse became automated, employees of JN “Ding Darling” lived in the house by the Lighthouse.
There were 670 acres reserved for the Lighthouse to be built on.
The original lens used at the top of the Lighthouse is on display at the Sanibel Historic Museum and Village.
The area around the Lighthouse is open to public, but the Lighthouse itself is not.
The height of the Lighthouse is 98 feet.
The stairway has 127 steps.