Designed by Lieutenant George G. Meade and improved by Lt. William Raynolds, the Jupiter Lighthouse, our beloved landmark, is widely recognized across Florida as the proud symbol of our lovely town, Jupiter. Thousands of people visit the lighthouse every year— not only from Jupiter, but from all over Florida. While you may think that you know well about the lighthouse, there are many fascinating facts about the iconic landmark that might surprise you.
The Past and Present of the Jupiter Lighthouse
During the construction and the early years of the lighthouse, there were many obstacles. As stated on the official website of The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, the construction of the lighthouse was authorized by Congress in 1853; however, the work was stopped because of the outbreak of the Third Seminole War, which was a series of wars over land in Florida. Gradually, in 1859, the construction resumed. The majority of the work on the tower was completed in 1860. With the help of a first-order Fresnel lens, the tower was officially lit on July 10, 1860. This lens was handcrafted in Paris in the 1800s and is still in use today. A year later, during the American Civil War, Confederate supporters and assistant keeper Augustus Lang shut down the lighthouse, and it didn’t operate again until war ended. It was relit in 1866. James Armour, the person who helped the Union Navy team, was now the new keeper of the lighthouse. In the range of years from 1860 to 1936, 70 different lighthouse keepers guided the Jupiter Lighthouse. The most crucial responsibilities were fueling oil in the lighthouse’s lamps, turning the systems that made the lenses spin, and guiding the lighthouse at night. A few years later in the 1940s, the lighthouse also played a role in World War II (WWII), recognized as “Station J.” captured radio communications from German U-boats to gain information about their intentions. This allowed them to disrupt their operations before they planned to start it.
Decades later, in May of 2008, the “Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area” was federally recognized by Congress. This made it one of the only three landmarks in the country to earn that title. An Outstanding Natural Area is an area that is recognized for its exceptional landscape. Today, the Jupiter Lighthouse is one of the top attractions in Palm Beach County with approximately 150,000 visitors per year! In fact, it is among the best attractions in Florida!
Visitors Through the Years:
A few of our Mariners and teachers are also a part of the large number of visitors every year to the Jupiter Lighthouse. Here’s how they view it:
Bella Lomicka
Bella Lomicka, an 8th grader at JMS, visited the Jupiter Lighthouse. She says, “When I visited the lighthouse, I felt extremely curious, and I was really in awe because I could tell that it was a big part of Florida’s history.”
Leighton Riley
Leighton Riley, a 6th grader at JMS, visited the Jupiter Lighthouse. She says, “When I visit the lighthouse, I think it’s really pretty, especially if you go during sunset. I really like it because it’s just like a calm place where there aren’t many people and the view is beautiful.”
Ms. Zern
Ms. Zern, Spanish teacher at JMS, visited the Jupiter Lighthouse. She says, “The Jupiter Lighthouse always makes me smile. I always bring my family with me to visit the lighthouse. I have done yoga at the lighthouse and my kids played soccer and lacrosse in the fields near the lighthouse when they were little.”
Mr. Burns
Mr. Burns, a U.S. History and Civics teacher at JMS, visited the Jupiter Lighthouse. He says, “I love the Jupiter Lighthouse. I enjoy climbing to the top and appreciating the large trees surrounding it. I teach my students about George Meade, the man who helped build it. He was famous in history for knowing and being trusted by Abraham Lincoln. It’s a beautiful local landmark.”
Fun Facts!
- It is one of the oldest structures in Palm Beach County.
- The lighthouse is 105 feet tall and consists of 105 cast iron stairs.
- To someone on an airplane, the light from it can be seen 40 to 50 miles away. To someone on a ship, the light from it can be seen 24 miles away.
- The lighthouse is among the Top 10 Haunted Lighthouses in the U.S!
- The lighthouse has archeological evidence of the living of Native Americans dating back to 5000 years.
