Sanibel in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sanibel Lighthouse

Photographed by A. Taylor, circa October 9, 2008

1. Sanibel Lighthouse Marker

Inscription. The first permanent English-speaking settlers on Sanibel Island arrived from New York in 1833 as part of a colony planned by land investors. Although that settlement was short-lived, the initial colonists petitioned the U.S. government for the construction of a lighthouse on the island. No action was taken on that proposal at the time. By the late 1870's, sea-going commerce in the area had increased in volume. The U.S. Lighthouse Bureau took the initiative in requesting funds for a lighthouse for Sanibel Island, and in 1884, construction of the tower began. The station was lighted for the first time in August, 1884. The significance of the Sanibel Lighthouse lies in the regular and reliable service it has provided for travelers along Florida's West Coast. Since 1950, the U.S. Coast Guard property at the lighthouse has been a wildlife refuge.

Erected 1974 by Nicholas Meriwether Chapter N.S. Colonial Dames XVII Century in cooperation with Department of State. (Marker Number E-223.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, and the The Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location.

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26° 27.176′ N, 82° 0.857′ W. Marker is in Sanibel, Florida, in Lee County. It can be reached from Periwinkle Way 1.7 miles east of Causeway Boulevard. Located under the lighthouse on the east end of the island. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel FL 33957, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Molluscan Reproduction and Egg Case (within shouting distance of this marker); The Beach is a wild place (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanibel & Everglades Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); Sea Turtles on Sanibel (within shouting distance of this marker); Mollusks and the Environment (within shouting distance of this marker); Nature's Landlord (within shouting distance of this marker); Community (approx. 3.8 miles away); Recreation (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sanibel.

Sanibel Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by A. Taylor, October 9, 2008

2. Sanibel Lighthouse

Sanibel Lighthouse with the keeper's house and oil house.

Photographed by A. Taylor, circa October 9, 2008

3. Sanibel Lighthouse

Sanibel Lighthouse as seen from the beach.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2014, by A. Taylor of Laurel, Maryland. This page has been viewed 953 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on January 26, 2015, by A. Taylor of Laurel, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 18, 2014, by A. Taylor of Laurel, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.