Ponce Inlet in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Jesse Linzy
African American Heritage at Ponce Inlet
Photographed By AGS Media, August 14, 2010
1. Jesse Linzy Marker
Born in Savannah on August 7, 1872, Jesse Linzy came to Mosquito (now Ponce) Inlet possibly in the late 1890s. A skilled concrete worker, he built the sidewalk from the tower down to the river, replacing an old wooden boardwalk. The sidewalk still exists today.
When his Light Station work was completed, Jesse Linzy went to the nearby Pacetti Hotel where he worked as a handyman and fishing guide. In 1909, Jesse became the assistant to a Federal Bird Reservation Inspector and traveled with him to places as remote as Alaska and Hawaii.
Jesse Linzy died on August 11, 1955, at the age of 83. He was buried in Daytona Beach's Mt. Ararat Cemetery.
Erected by Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 29° 4.818′ N, 80° 55.69′ W. Marker is in Ponce Inlet, Florida, in Volusia County. Marker can be reached from South Peninsula Drive south of Ocean Way Drive,, on the left when traveling south. The marker is on the grounds of the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Museum. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Tramway (here, next to this marker); Bronze Bell (a few steps from this marker); 16th Century Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker); Oil Storage House (within shouting distance of this marker); Kedge Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker); Ponce Inlet Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Generator Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Porch Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ponce Inlet.
More about this marker. The marker is within the museum compound, next to the Ayres Davies Lens Exhibit Building (which houses one of the finest collections of restored Fresnel lenses in the world). The marker may be seen at a distance from outside the museum complex.
Additional commentary.
1. Jezze Linzy - Text of Interpretive Panel Shown in Photo 3
At the end of Jesse Linzy’s colorful and unusual life, the Daytona newspaper ran an obituary that referred to him as “the Giant of Ponce Park.”
Born in Savannah, Georgia,
Photographed By AGS Media, August 14, 2010
2. Jesse Linzy Marker
When his Light Station work was completed, Jesse went to the nearby Pacetti Hotel for employment. Bartola C. Pacetti had sold some of his land to the government for the Mosquito (Ponce) Inlet Light Station and used the profits to build this hotel. Jesse worked there as a handyman and fishing guide. It is said that Linzy was so big and strong that he could take guests deep sea fishing in a rowboat that he single-handedly maneuvered out through the treacherous inlet.
In 1909. Bert Pacetti, one of sons, became a Federal Bird Reservation Inspector. Jesse worked with Bert and traveled with him to places as remote as Alaska and Hawaii.
By 1935, the Pacetti Hotel had fallen into disrepair and was purchased by Miss Olivia Gamble who had vacationed there as a child. At the time of the sale, Jesse proclaimed that she was buying him as well as the hotel, because he was simply not going to leave. He and his wife, Miss Ida, lived in the hotel and took care of Olivia Gamble and her guests.
Jesse Linzy died on August 11, 1955, at the age of 83 and was buried in the Mt Ararat Cemetery, Daytona Beach. He was survived by his wife and a daughter, Mrs.
Photographed By Rick Shell, circa July 1, 2009
3. Jesse Linzy Story Marker
This is a local story about Jesse and how he would row guests of the hotel out into the fishing grounds as a guide. He would row by himself, out and back. He was a strong man who worked very hard.
— Submitted December 1, 2010.
Photographed By AGS Media, August 14, 2010
4. Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,488 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 28, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 2. submitted on August 29, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 3. submitted on November 2, 2010, by Rick Shell of Noblesville, Indiana. 4. submitted on August 29, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
