St. Joseph Bay Lighthouse
South of Port St. Joe, Florida

The photo shown above is the second lighthouse to be built for St. Joseph Bay.  It was lighted on August 1, 1902, using a small lens lantern.  On
March 3, 1903, a third-order lens was installed.  The first keeper at this lighthouse, and for the next 26 years, was Charles Lupton, assisted by his wife, Minnie.

In 1960, the lighthouse was replaced by a skeletal tower.  The lighthouse is now a privately owned residence.

The first lighthouse was accepted from the contractor on January 4, 1839.  It was 50 feet tall and had 15 lamps in 16 inch reflectors.  The lighthouse was built because of the developing trade at St. Joseph, Florida.  However, shortly after its completion, three events caused the town of St. Joseph to cease to exist. First - the economic panic of 1837, along with a depression in England, wiped out most economic development in the area;  Second - Yellow fever wiped out nearly all the residents of the town in 1841; and Third - a hurricane reduced the town to a "pile of splinters". In 1847, the lighthouse was abandoned.

The residence that was the second lighthouse is located at 2701 County Road 30.  Take U S Highway 98 south from Port St. Joe.  County Road 30 will turn to the right.

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