Very
little remains today of the original layout of Suni Sands. The
shell mound still gives rise to the front steps of the now departed
Sperry homestead, and the old boathouse and ballroom (amazingly)
still stand after one hundred years of atrocious storms.
Some wonderful snap shots remain to remind us, in part, of a
pioneering family who lived and worked from what we today enjoy
as our winter retreats and homes on this, our Lighted Inlet.
Yet anyone passing through these days, and those blessed enough
to live on this treasure of a spot, cannot help but be touched
in some way by the romance and knowledge of a rich history from
a past that will always have it's home on Jupiter Inlet and
Suni Sands.
Today the world changes so quickly that in
growing up we take leave not just of youth but of the world
we were young in.
Peter Medawar
1513
The
Spanish arrived by sea and explored the area of Jupiter Inlet.
Florida
was in Spanish possession until 1763, when it was relinquished
to Britain at the Treaty of Paris closing the Seven Years War.
The Inlet was then known as "Jupiter now Grenville."
In a later map dated 1770, the inlet is named Grenville Inlet
and the Loxahatchee River was named the Grenville River. Florida was under the administration of Britain between
1763-1783
1852
Due
to many ships foundering on offshore sand bars, an aspect of the
inlet and surrounding area to this day, the Florida Lighthouse
Board recommended that a lighthouse be built near Jupiter
Inlet. The tower was designed by Major George G. Meade, eventually
to become the Union General who defeated General Robert E. Lee
at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Above
day shot was taken as the vapor trail disperses from the lift-off
from the Space Shuttle Discovery July 4th 2006
Photos
used with permission from the
State Library & Archives of Florida
1856-60
Jupiter
Inlet Lighthouse, started in 1856 and first lit on July 10th,
1860 after a arduous and lengthy construction which was hampered
by heat, mosquitos, delivery problems and the third Seminole Indian
War (1856-58). Confederate troops extinguished the light one year later,
and it wasn't relit until 1866. The lighthouse stands at 125 ft.
and is built on a natural shell mound.
The
Fresnel lens was made by the Henry Lepante Company of Paris.
Installed during the 1860 construction, it is still in use to
this day.
Operating
and maintaining the lighthouse is an important public service
that is provided by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society
and Museum.
Preserve
our historic symbol of Jupiter by your support of the Jupiter
Inlet Lighthouse by stopping at the visitor center and gift
shop in Jupiter Park for books, collectibles and lighthouse
tours (561-747-8380)
