Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, a historical treasure that has guided mariners for 150 years, remain unknown to many, even here in Brevard County. The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation is seeking to change that, and with the effort of volunteers is well on its way. Rocky Johnson, president of the Foundation, said that many people are so preoccupied with different things that they often miss some important parts of our own history. It sometimes gets lost in this age of instant information, virtual tours and live streaming.
150 Years of History
“People often aren’t challenged to go out and look at the treasures that are only a couple of miles away,” Johnson said. “We want people to come out to visit to the lighthouse.” The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is the only lighthouse owned by the U.S. Air Force. The foundation assists the 45th Space Wing preserve, share the historical significance of the lighthouse and promote access to the unique beacon located on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Johnson said few people know that if not for the lighthouse, Brevard County may not be home to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral. When the government needed an ideal place to launch rockets, it found it near where it already owned land and had the lighthouse, which dates to before the Civil War. The original lighthouse was built in 1848 and 20 years later a taller one was erected. Because of fear that erosion could undermine the structure, the lighthouse was moved in 1894 about a mile and a half inland, where it stands today. The Foundation has begun the process to build the first of three cottages. It also is raising funds to build two other cottages in keeping with the original configuration of the buildings that surrounded the lighthouse.
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Cocoa Beach Explorer
Johnson said the foundation wants everyone to have an opportunity to visit the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse.
