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Banner to be hung from lighthouse
On September 16, 1928, a killer storm struck Palm Beach County, Florida that killed thousands of people. It was one of the worst natural disasters in United States records. During that storm, the 1860 Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse swayed seven inches at the top, but survived the massive assault. A banner reading, "This building survived the Hurricane of 1928" will be hung from the 105-foot tall lighthouse from now to Sept. 30. So, if you’re in the Jupiter, Florida area during the month of September, stop by and take a photo of the banner and send it to us. For every photo sent to us, we’ll send you an "I Love Lighthouses" bumper sticker.
Lions Club picks lighthouse
District 41 of the Lions Club has picked Newfoundland, Canada’s Rose Blanche Lighthouse for this year’s annual pin. The club selected the lighthouse from a book of famous lighthouses from around the world at a multiple convention last year. There will be 3000 pins made and distributed to Lions Club members in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island in Canada and Maine in the United States.
Neglected Absecon replica to be saved
Lighthouse Digest has reported, over the last several years, about possible repairs to the replica of New Jersey’s Absecon Lighthouse that stands on the Black Horse Pike at the entrance to Atlantic City since 1954, when it was built to celebrate the city’s 100th- birthday. But for the last 20 years, the lighthouse has been deteriorating rapidly, and talk about saving the lighthouse has only been talk, until now. Plans are now underway to have the replica of one of Atlantic City’s most notable landmarks restored in time for the city’s 150th birthday in 2005.
Last month’s trivia question
"I preached and ministered to the lighthouse keepers and their families. I was known as the ‘Sky Pilot to Lighthousemen’. What was my name?" If you bought the book, The Golden Age of American Lighthouses www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=31869 31869, from www.LighthouseDepot.com you might have been among those who replied with the correct answer. During the early 20th century W. H. "Grandpa" Law traveled to remote lighthouses where he preached and ministered to keepers and their families. Congratulations to our winner, Thad Shearin of Cary, NC, who was picked from the correct entries, as our winner. We are sending him a Cape Hatteras Beach Clock as his prize.
A retired University of Illinois professor is researching material for a book on center-draft lamps from 1870 to 1940. Many oil lamps used in lighthouses were center-draft lamps. He is looking for help with information or illustrations on the filling, operating and caring of kerosene lamps, as well as information the manufacturers or source of oil lamps used in lighthouses and old photographs would be helpful. If you can assist contact J.W. "Bill" Courter, 3935 Kelley Rd, Kevil, KY 42053 or e-mail him at .
Lyle guns stolen
It seems that items from the old U.S. Lighthouse Service and U.S. Life Saving Service are being stolen on a regular basis lately. This time it was two bronze Lyle guns that resemble small cannons, which were used to shoot a lifesaving, line to distressed ships. The guns were taken from an estate in Mesa, AZ and are quite valuable. One gun is marked on the muzzle "RIW 1905 No. 574 TLA." The markings on the other gun are unknown. If you see the marked gun show up at an auction please contact Jim Claflin at .
New rules limit climbers
America’s tallest lighthouse is open again for tours but the number of people being allowed to climb the tower each day has changed from the usual 5,000 people per day to only approximately 1,600 people per day. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on North Carolina’s Outer Banks was closed in June of 2001 after a stairway bracket fell and other problems were found with the stairway. Now restored, visitors will need to obtain a ticket before they will be allowed to climb the tower and only 60 people at 20-minute intervals will be allowed to climb. Tickets usually sell out two to three hours ahead of time, so plan on getting there early. The upside is that it will only take 20 minutes compared to the average hour and a half with people packed on the stairway.
Medical emergency makes for hard climb
A police officer, carrying a supply of oxygen, huffed and puffed his way up the 218 spiral steps to the top of New Jersey’s Cape May Lighthouse during a recent medical emergency at the top of the lighthouse. It seems a woman tourist, who had just climbed the tower in the sweltering August heat, passed out at the top. (Lighthouses don’t have air conditioning.) Fortunately, the oxygen did the trick and the revived lady was able to descend the tower on her own. However, this has not been the case with past medical emergencies at the lighthouse. Emergency technicians have had to use a stair-chair with wheels to remove ill climbers. This is no easy task in a lighthouse. One rescue worker needs to be on the top and one on the bottom of the stair-chair making the descent a slow process.
Lighthouses to become genuine Kinkade
Speaking of New Jersey’s Cape May Lighthouse . . . . . . If you were visiting the lighthouse this past August and you thought the guy you saw doing a painting of the lighthouse looked like "The Painter of Light," Thomas Kinkade, you were right. The man, is probably America’s most collected living artist. Thomas Kinkade Products is also the only artist-based business listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Kinkade was finishing up his rendition of Cape May Lighthouse. As limited edition lithographs, they will reportedly sell for close to $800.00 each.
Ghost stories for fall
As we approach the autumn season, our minds turn to ghosts, witches and pumpkins. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, everybody loves a good ghost story. And, most lighthouses have a good ghost story or two as is told in Lighthouse Ghosts and Legends a haunting book by Nina Costopoulos. As you read more than a dozen tales of some of America’s best know beacons, including Alcatraz Lighthouse located at the famed former prison, will you be able to sleep? Order Lighthouse Ghosts and Legends from Lighthouse Depot as item www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9132091320 for $12.95 and be prepared to listen to the rustling of the leaves outside your window as you cuddle up for some great fall reading.
Lighthouses on Parade Auction to be held Sept. 19
Save a lighthouse - Buy a lighthouse
The big auction for the more than 60 ten foot tall lighthouses from Lighthouses on Parade will take place on Friday, September 19 from 5:30 PM to 9 PM at the Portland Exposition Center, 239 Park Ave., Portland, Maine. The live auction will begin at 7PM.
Tickets for the event are $33.75 each and can be obtained by calling 1-207-842-0800 or on line at PortTix at www.porttix.com.
The Lighthouses on Parade book will be available for sale at the event or can be ordered on line at www.LighthouseDepot.com as item www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=3187431874 for $30.00 plus shipping. Proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the American Lighthouse Foundation.
Fifty percent of the funds raised from the auction of each lighthouse will be divided between the Maine Center for Deafness, the Cancer Community Center and the George J. Mitchell Scholarship Fund. The other 50% will go to the non-profit of choice, chosen by the winner of each lighthouse auctioned off. It is hoped and we encourage some of the auction winners to donate their 50% to the American Lighthouse Foundation to help us in our efforts to save lighthouses and their history.
The beautifully designed and embellished lighthouses have graced the streets of southern Maine from Wells to Falmouth since May. This will be the last and only time all of the lighthouses will ever again be displayed together at one location.
Other upcoming Events you won’t want to miss
Now through Sept. 24, Apostle Islands Lighthouse Celebration in Bayfield, WI. For more information call 1-715-779-5619 or 1-800-779-4487 or go on line at www.lighthousecelebration.comwww.lighthousecelebration.com.
8th Annual Lighthouse Depot Road Rally
Sept. 13 is the 8th Annual Lighthouse Depot Road Rally. Hosted by the Cumberland County Motor Club and sanctioned by the New England Region of the SCCA, this is a Time-Speed-Distance Road Rally of 130 miles held in Maine to benefit the American Lighthouse Foundation. Any year, make, or model car is welcome. First timers are welcomed and encouraged to participate. To sign up or for more information call Paul Gregory evenings at 1-207-549-3072 or e-mail
Maine Lighthouse Bus Tour
Sept. 19-21 Maine Lighthouse Bus Tour that starts in Greenport, New York, sponsored by East End Lighthouses, includes a visit to Lighthouse Depot. Price per person, double occupancy, includes accommodations, boat cruise past the Kennebec River lighthouses to Seguin Island Light, lunches and one night’s dinner is $550.00
For reservations call 631-477-4121 or for more info email eastlite@optonline.net
Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival
Oct. 10-12 Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival, Alpena, Michigan. This is by far the largest lighthouse celebration in the country; nearly 100 vendors, exhibits, entertainment, tours, speakers, seminars, auction, breakfast, dinner, dancing... a lighthouse weekend for the whole family. For more information call 1-800-4-ALPENA or 1-989-595-3632.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Oct 17-18 Two Hundred Years of Light Celebration honoring North Carolina’s Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in America. Book signings, special ceremony at the lighthouse, raffle, auction and Saturday night dinner. For more info e-mail or for tickets call Betty Parrish at 1-704-552-2318.
This month’s trivia question
When my boss visited me at my remote island lighthouse and saw me milking the lighthouse cow, he went back to the lighthouse tender to get his camera. He asked me to pose for a photograph of me milking the cow. This photograph was used as a recruitment advertisement to encourage people to join the lighthouse service. My wife wrote a book about our lighthouse life. What is my name and what is the name of the lighthouse where the photograph was taken? Send your answer to and we will randomly draw one name from among those submitting the correct answer for a surprise gift from Lighthouse Depot.
Stamp Collector Alert - While supplies last
The following lighthouse postage stamps are being discontinued and we have a few left that are now being reduced for clearance. If you don’t have these in your collection this would be a good time to order them for yourself or for someone you know who collects postage stamps. They would make a great and unique gift. All stamps are in unused mint condition.
Gambia lighthouse souvenir block www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9337093370 Was $5.00 Now $2.88
Isle of Man lighthouse booklet www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9335793357 Was $15.95 Now $9.88
Canada Capex set of four different lighthouse stamps www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9336593365 Was $5.00 Now $2.88
Kenya, set of four different lighthouse stamps www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9366093660 Was $5.00 Now $2.88
Russia, set of 10 different lighthouse stamps www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9332793327 Was $10.00 Now $6.88
Senegal, set of four different stamps www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=8883188831 Was $3.95 Now $2.88
England, set of five different lighthouse stamps www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9378093780 Was $5.00 now $2.88
Ireland lighthouse stamp booklet www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9332993329 Was $15.95 Now $9.88
Book Clearance
The following books have been discontinued and we are offering the remaining stock while supplies last on our Clearance Central
Lighthouse - A Photographic Tour www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=91297 91297 Was $25.95 Now $12.88
Sixpence for the Wind www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9188091880 Was $29.95 Now $18.88
A Light Walk www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9177191771 Was $19.95 Now $9.88
It Was Fun While It Lasted www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9187891878 Was $24.95 Now $15.88
Light in the Darkness www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9156491564 Was $13.95 Now $9.88
Prisoners of the Sea www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9147991479 Was $24.50 Now $18.88
To learn more about lighthouses may we suggest that you subscribe to Lighthouse Digest Magazine www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=1300113001 for only $28.00 per year. A gift subscription for that special person or for your local library helps draw public attention to saving our lighthouses and their history.
To research lighthouses go to www.LighthouseDepot.comwww.LighthouseDepot.com and type in the name of the lighthouse in the search box. You will then be directed to the information that is available in our database from stories to historical information as well as any products that we might have which feature the lighthouse you are looking for. 
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