Cape St. George Light

The Cape St. George Light is the third light as I continue East along the Florida Panhandle.

The first St. George lighthouse was built in 1833 at west Pass. It was rebuilt in1848 on Cape St. George. The hurricane in 1851 toppled that light. The third lighthouse was completed 1852. The light was eventually automated in 1949. The Coast Guard deactivated the light in 1994. Beach erosion at the site of the lighthouse continued to threaten the light until the structure collapsed on October 21, 2005.

Remnants of the fallen structure were salvaged and the St. George Lighthouse Association led the effort to rebuild the lighthouse. Volunteers cleaned the mortar off the more than 22,000 original bricks and assisted in the reconstruction. The tower is 75 feet high and is now located in the center of St. George Island. Reconstruction was completed in 2008. You can get to the island by taking Island Drive (SR 300) off US 98 in Eastpoint. The beauty of the expanse of water from the 4.2 mile bridge is breathtaking. It is well worth the time to drive west from the lighthouse to the St. George State Park. The dunes have been preserved in their natural state. Several walkways lead to the sandy beach.

We stopped for lunch in Apalachicola which is a quaint fishing village and tourist attraction. It is noted for the oysters. I had them on the half shell for lunch. Carol enjoyed a nice grilled grouper sandwich.

This was the first excursion with both dogs. They were good. Tiny slept most of the time and Gizmo needed to look out the window most of the time. We are pleased that Gizmo travels well.