Pirates, Blockades and Commerce: an EXPEDITION

Thanks to funding from SEA’s 2019 Elsaesser Fellowship, my Expedition continues... Visit:  www.CoastalWanderer.net  for the complete project collection. The Crooked River Lighthouse, in the town of Carrabelle, Florida, was originally constructed in 1895 to replace the Dog Island Light, which was destroyed by a hurricane in 1875.  After being switched over to electricity from oil in 1933, the light was fully automated and unmanned in 1952 at which time the keepers quarters and outbuildings were sold and removed from the site.  The original 4th Order Fresnel lens was removed by the Coast Guard in 1976, when it was replaced by a modern light system. This Lighthouse remained in operation until it was decommissioned in 1995.

Thanks to funding from SEA’s 2019 Elsaesser Fellowship, my Expedition continues... Visit:  www.CoastalWanderer.net  for the complete project collection. The St. Marks Light is the second-oldest Lighthouse in Florida. St Marks Light is located on the east side of the entrance to the St. Marks River, on Apalachee Bay. By the early 1800's, the town of St. Marks, Florida was considered an essential port of entry for shipping. The town served as the primary shipping port for the Central Florida plantations as well as some counties in South Georgia. Plantations transported their products to St. Marks via a small road which would later become the state's first railroad. With the onset of The Civil War In 1865, Confederate troops were stationed near the Lighthouse. The tower's lighting apparatus was eventually removed by Confederate forces to prevent its use as a navigation aid to Union Naval operations in the area. The Tower was damaged during a battle which wo...

Thanks to funding from SEA’s 2019 Elsaesser Fellowship, my Expedition continues... Visit:  www.CoastalWanderer.net  for the complete project collection. San Marcos de Apalache is a Spanish colonial fort also known as Fort St Marks for the City within which it now resides. The original Spanish construct was composed of wooden buildings and a stockade built in the late 17th century. The original fortification was destroyed by a hurricane which also drowned the entire Spanish Garrison. This fortification lies near what is considered to be the Native American city of Anhaica  which was used as a winter Bivouac for Hernando de Soto in his quest for gold before he moved north through Georgia. The remains of the stone fort on site were originally constructed by the Spanish in 1753.  Following its occupation by Spain, it was shortly occupied by Great Britain before returning to Spanish control. It was later taken by Andrew Jackson for the United States ...