Bright Ideas

I became interested in lighthouses and their history after I began volunteering at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, Jupiter, Florida. I am currently the staff Historian at Jupiter, volunteer Historian for the Florida Lighthouse Association, and a contributing writer to the US Lighthouse Society. Information compiled on this page is the result of personal research projects, shared here for the benefit of other lighthouse historians and the lighthouse community.

REFERENCE - PERSONNEL
Lighthouse District Engineers, Inspectors, and Superintendents (1852-1939) - Alphabetical or Chronological By District
Members of the Lighthouse Board (1852-1910) - chronological list of Charimen, Engineer Secretaries, and Naval Secretaries
Officers of the Bureau of Lighthouses (1910-1939)

REFERENCE - ARCHITECURE (mostly works in progress)
Winslow Lewis Brick Towers (1820s-1840s)
Brick Towers (1840s-1890s)
Meade Lighthouse Lanterns
Cape Cod Integrated Lighthouses
Screwpile Cottages
Stick Cottages
Skeletal Towers
Texas Towers
Keeper Dwellings

REFERENCE - MISCELLANEOUS
Colonial Era American Lighthouses
Lighthouses Built By The U.S. Coast Guard (1940-1967)
Countdown To Automation (work in progress)
Radio Beacons (Lighthouse Service & US Coast Guard, 1920s-1990s)
Lighthouse Service Depots (1852-1939)

PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIAL: US LIGHTHOUSE SOCIETY
J. Candace Clifford Research Catalog - archives/wiki
Light Lists
Light Station Descriptive Reports

PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIAL: NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Candace Clifford Historcal Archive: Finding Aid for Lighthouse Records in the National Archives
Candace Clifford Historcal Archive: Finding Aid for U.S. Life-Saving Service Records in the National Archives
National Archives Online Catalog: Lighthouse Photos
National Archives Online Catalog: Lighthouse Architectural Drawings and Site Maps

GENERAL LINKS
The Lighthouse Directory - directory of more than 18,000 past and present lighthouses, range lights, and lighted beacons around the world maintained by Russ Rowlett
United States Lighthouse Society - national nonprofit organization with extensive archives that publishes Keeper's Log quarterly magazine
Lighthouse Digest Magazine - national magazine published every other month, now supported by the nonprofit Lighthouse History Research Institute
Lighthouse Friends - substantial lighthouse fan site by Kraig Anderson
Lighthouse History - blog and research guide by professional lighthouse researcher Candace Clifford (RIP)

REGIONAL LIGHTHOUSE ORGANIZATIONS
Florida Lighthouse Association (FLA)
Great Lakes Keepers Association (GLKA)

PERSONAL
My Lighthouse Visits

Please excuse the very basic layout. It will be revised, eventually. Corrections and additional information are appreciated!