Ponce Inlet in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Tramway

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 15, 2021

1. The Tramway Marker

Inscription. In 1884, as part of their preparations to construct the lighthouse, the United States Light-House Establishment installed a tramway to carry supplies to the tower site from the shore of the Halifax River.

The tramway consisted of two iron rails, and the tram cart was pulled by a mule, one of two kept here for that purpose. Once the construction of the light station was completed in 1887, the mules were sold and the tramway was removed. A wooden boardwalk was then built over the tram path to serve as a walkway to the river.

In August of 1909, the lighthouse keepers removed the boardwalk and replaced it with a cement sidewalk. Oral history suggests that Jesse Linzy, the African-American handyman and fishing guide who eventually worked at the nearby Pacetti Hotel, assisted in this construction project.

In the years since its construction, more layers of concrete have been added on top of the original sidewalk, but its path to the river shore remains unchanged.

Erected by Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans •

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Communications • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 29° 4.821′ N, 80° 55.688′ W. Marker is in Ponce Inlet, Florida, in Volusia County. It can be reached from South Peninsula Drive 0.1 miles west of Lighthouse Drive. Marker is on the grounds of the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4931 South Peninsula Drive, Port Orange FL 32127, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jesse Linzy (here,

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 15, 2021

2. The Tramway Marker

next to this marker); Bronze Bell (here, next to 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); Generator Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Porch Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); Ponce Inlet Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ponce Inlet.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.