# Cape Canaveral Light

> lighthouse at Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., built in 1848 and decommissioned in 1868

**Wikidata**: [Q111302670](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111302670)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cape-canaveral-light-q111302670

## Summary
Cape Canaveral Light was a lighthouse constructed in 1848 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States, and decommissioned in 1868 due to the American Civil War, with its physical structure eventually demolished in 1893.

## Key Facts
- Built in 1848 and decommissioned in 1868
- Located in Brevard County, Florida, on Cape Canaveral near the North Atlantic Ocean
- Operated as a Lewis lamp from 1849 to 1861, then with a fourth order Fresnel lens from 1867 to 1868
- Had a white color and stood 65 feet (19.8 meters) tall with a 6.1-meter diameter
- Cost $13,300 to construct in 1848
- Range was 12 nautical miles maximum and 3.5 nautical miles minimum
- Owned by the United States Department of the Treasury from 1848-1852, then the United States Lighthouse Board until 1868
- Service entry was March 1, 1849, and service retirement occurred May 00, 1868
- Demolished in 1893
- Replaced by the current Cape Canaveral Light structure

## FAQs
**When was Cape Canaveral Light built and when did it cease operations?**
The lighthouse was constructed in 1848 and began service on March 1, 1849. It was decommissioned on May 00, 1868, due to the American Civil War, with its structure demolished in 1893.

**What organization was responsible for operating the lighthouse?**
The United States Department of the Treasury managed the lighthouse from 1848 to 1852, after which control transferred to the United States Lighthouse Board until its decommissioning in 1868.

**What were its technical specifications?**
The lighthouse stood 65 feet (19.8 meters) tall with a 6.1-meter diameter. It used a parabolic reflector from 1849 to 1861, followed by a fourth order Fresnel lens from 1867 to 1868. The light had characteristics including "Fl W 195s" initially, changing to "Fl W 60s" during the Civil War period.

**What happened to the original structure after it was decommissioned?**
The original lighthouse was demolished in 1893, though the exact circumstances of this demolition are not fully detailed in the source material.

## Why It Matters
Cape Canaveral Light represents an important piece of maritime history, serving as a navigational aid for ships approaching Florida's east coast during the mid-19th century. Its operation during the American Civil War period highlights the challenges faced by coastal infrastructure during times of national conflict. The lighthouse's eventual demolition illustrates the lifecycle of early 19th-century maritime structures and the evolution of coastal navigation technology.

## Notable For
- **Historical Civil War Impact**: The lighthouse was deactivated in 1861 due to the American Civil War, representing the disruption of coastal infrastructure during this period
- **Lens Technology Evolution**: It was one of the first structures to transition from a parabolic reflector to a fourth order Fresnel lens, demonstrating technological advancement in maritime navigation
- **Government Management Change**: The transfer of ownership from the Treasury Department to the Lighthouse Board in 1852 marked an important shift in federal maritime infrastructure administration
- **Cost and Construction**: The $13,300 construction cost in 1848 reflects the significant investment required for early coastal navigation aids
- **Long Operational Period**: Despite its short active lifespan (20 years), it served as a critical navigational aid for the growing maritime traffic in the region

## Body
### History
The Cape Canaveral Light was constructed in 1848 as part of a federal initiative to improve maritime navigation along Florida's coast. The lighthouse was built during a period of increasing coastal trade and naval activity in the region. Its construction was completed by January 1848, with service beginning on March 1, 1849. The lighthouse operated for approximately 19 years before being decommissioned in 1868 due to the American Civil War. The structure remained standing until its demolition in 1893.

### Architecture and Design
The lighthouse was constructed using typical 19th-century materials and techniques. It stood 65 feet (19.8 meters) tall with a 6.1-meter diameter, featuring a white exterior that made it visible from a distance. The original lighting apparatus was a Lewis lamp, which was replaced by a parabolic reflector in 1849. In 1867, the lighthouse was upgraded to use a fourth order Fresnel lens, which provided more focused and powerful illumination. The focal height of the light was approximately 18.3 meters above ground level.

### Operational Period
The lighthouse's operational history was marked by significant events. It first began service on March 1, 1849, with a light characteristic of "Fl W 195s" (flashing white light every 195 seconds). This was changed to "Fl W 60s" in 1853, and then to "L Fl W 60s" from 1867 to 1868. The lighthouse had a maximum range of 12 nautical miles and a minimum range of 3.5 nautical miles, making it visible to ships approaching the Florida coast from the Atlantic Ocean.

### Ownership and Management
The lighthouse was initially owned and operated by the United States Department of the Treasury from 1848 to 1852. In 1852, management transferred to the newly established United States Lighthouse Board, which oversaw the operation of all federal lighthouses until 1910. The Lighthouse Board was responsible for maintaining the structure and ensuring the light remained operational despite the challenges of the Civil War period.

### Civil War Impact
The American Civil War significantly impacted the lighthouse's operation. In February 1861, the lighthouse was deactivated due to the conflict, with its light extinguished as Confederate forces controlled the area. The lighthouse was reactivated in June 1867 after Union forces regained control of the region. However, it was permanently decommissioned on May 00, 1868, with the Fresnel lens removed and the structure left in a state of disrepair.

### Demolition and Legacy
The original lighthouse structure was demolished in 1893, though the exact circumstances and reasons for this demolition are not fully documented in the source material. The site remains as a historical landmark representing the early maritime history of Cape Canaveral. The current Cape Canaveral Light, which replaced the original structure, continues to serve as an important navigational aid for modern maritime traffic in the region.

## References

1. [Source](https://canaverallight.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/T1.2-The-First-Lighthouse-Goes-Up-1847-1849.pdf)
2. [Source](https://canaverallight.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/T2.4-To-Move-or-Not-to-Move-1871-1893.pdf)
3. [Source](https://canaverallight.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/T2.1-New-Iron-Lighthouse-1867-1868.pdf)
4. [Source](https://canaverallight.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/T1.6-Civil-War-Turns-Out-the-Light-1861-1865.pdf)
5. [Light List. 1849](https://uslhs.org/light_lists/lighthouse_list.php?id=947)
6. [Source](https://canaverallight.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/T2.3-The-Iron-Lighthouse-in-the-19th-Century-1868-1893.pdf)
7. [Source](https://books.google.com/books?id=4oc2AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1248&lpg=PA1248)
8. [Source](https://canaverallight.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/T1.4-Too-Short-and-Not-Too-Bright-1849-1861.pdf)