The Mosquito Inlet Lighthouse

From the January 2003 newsletter

Did you know that the magnificent 175 foot red brick tower lighthouse now standing on the north side of Ponce de Leon Inlet (formerly known as Mosquito Inlet) was not the first such structure to aid mariners at this inlet? Another lighthouse, built while the State was under British rule, was completed in 1835 on the shifting sands of the south side of the inlet by Winslow Lewis for a cost of $7,494.

Approximately 45 feet tall and built of brick, this lighthouse was never lit due to the fact that the oil needed to illuminate its lamp was not received by the lighthouse keeper. Later that year, in October of 1835, a storm destroyed the light keeper's house and threatened to undermine the foundation of the lighthouse tower. On December 26th of that year, Indians ransacked the tower as part of their area wide campaign of destruction of plantations during the Seminole Indian War. Finally, after another storm in April of 1836, the tower's foundation was undermined and the original lighthouse tower at Ponce Inlet was reclaimed by the sea. Today nothing remains of this structure.

The following letter was located at the National Archives in Washington D.C. by Candice Clifford of Cypress Communications. Candice is a lighthouse research specialist in Alexandria, Virginia, doing research at the National Archives for the Lighthouse Association. Among the many outstanding documents she uncovered was this letter to Y. Pleasonton, Fifth Auditor of the Treasury, from John Rodman, Collector of St. Augustine describing this first lighthouse and the related events of that time. This letter is a graphic illustration of what it was like here 167 years ago and how much things have changed in this area since then.

Collector's Office
St. Augustine 9th January 1836

Sir,

You have doubtly heard of the hostile conduct of the Indians in this country. They have committed many acts of violence and depredation, on the property of the inhabitants near Mosquito Inlet, burned many large and valuable houses entirely, so that the inhabitants, to save the lives of themselves and families were obliged to escape to a considerable distance.

Col. Dummett, whose house was within about half a mile from the Light-House, lost all the furniture and other property at his place, and they set fire to his house; but it was only partially burnt below, when the fire died away. Many other houses in the neighborhood were entirely consumed, and the Indians seduced and carried away, one hundred and sixty of the Negro slaves on plantations there.

Col. Dummett came up to this place, three or four days ago, and Mr. Williams, the keeper of the Light-House came here this morning. These gentlemen have mentioned to me, that the Indians burnt open the doors of the Light-House, and broke all the lamps in it, but did not set fire to it. No oil had yet arrived there, and in the present situation of the Light-House, I beg leave to suggest to you the propriety of ordering that no oil, at present, be sent there, as at this time, it is considered unsafe for the keeper or any other person, to be there to receive and take charge of it. New lamps, glasses and shades for them must be provided, when it becomes safe to light up the building.

On inquiry I learn that the Light-House was not itself injured by the late gale and flood of the sea, which destroyed the keeper's house.

The walls of the Light-House are still firm, but a part of the sand hill on which it was erected, close around it, was washed away by the flood of the sea, and leaves the wall exposed. I think it would be advisable to have a wall, about five or six feet high, built all around the Light-House, which would completely protect it from the encroachment of the sea, in any future gale. As there is a great plenty of shell stone near the Light-House, which is very good for buildings and walls-such a wall would not cost more than two or three hundred dollars, of thirty or forty feet square. The like wall surrounds the Light-House, at this harbor, originally built by the Spanish Government, when the building was only a tower.

I shall, by next mail, send to the Secretary of the Treasury, the affidavit of Col. Dummett and of Mr. Williams, as to the selection of the site of the Light-House at Mosquito Inlet, in preference to the one before chosen by Mr. Dunham.

It would seem, from a letter I have received from the Secretary of the Treasury, dated the 23 of December that he had not seen the one which I wrote to you on the subject.

Very respectfully,
Your obt servant
John Rodman
Collector of St. Augustine

Y. Pleasanton Engr.
Fifth Auditor of the Treasury
& Acting Commissioner of the Revenue
Washington