We Want To Build A Lighthouse

Ahoy!
You can take the keeper out of the lighthouse, but you can't take the lighthouse out of a keeper's heart. Irene and I want to build a 25 ft or higher on our waterfront property. Now, there's good news and some bad news.....I'm a disabled Vietnam Vet, we never built nary an outhouse before...and that's the good news! The bad news is that we can't find any plans and or tips anywhere on the net. We would appreciate it if anyone could point us in the right direction.

Oh yeah....after we build this, we want to build an ark!

Duke & Irene

Wish I could offer you some sugestions, but sorry to say that I can't help you.

However I do wish you all the luck possible in getting it done! You'll have to post pictures here of the compleated project.

GOOD LUCK!

What kind of light do you want to build?
Skew pile, Brick, wood, concrete?
Do you have a particular lighthouse you want to copy?

When I retire, I want to build eight Florida lights that are on the east coast line.
Ponce, Hillsboro, Cape Florida, Jupiter, St Augustine, Amelia and Cape Canaveral and may port. They would be in scale of each other and the tallest one would be no more than 12 feet tall.

One of my projects had a lighthouse built on an adjacent projects site. It was a 60ft screw Pile. I do not have the plans. I think it was a half size replica of the Hillsboro.
I have seen regular lighthouse plans on ebay. What ever you do most likely you will need a set of plans signed and sealed to pull a permit. However, it depends on your local code officials.

I will take a look around and see what I can find.

Ahoy,
We had planned on building it out of wood on a concrete base with a spiral staircase. Our biggest questions are what size framing and it's configuration. It probably would have been easier for me to have bought Whitehead Island Light or Curtis Island Light where I was the keeper in the 70"s!

Duke & Irene

In most places if you build anything biger than 100 sq ft you are required to get a building permit. Also most building departments will require you to have a signed and sealed set of drawings by a engineer or Architect that is registered in that state.
The Architect or Engineer or both will design the lighthouse for you to with-stand the winds for that area and build it according to the building code that is applicable for that district.

Show me some pictures of what you want and I will take a look at it.

Here is a pix of 26' one that the Claytons built. Something on the order of this would be nice. As far as permits, I have been told that this area in unrestricted and has few ordinances. We are going to check that out.

We want to thank all of those who have commented here.

http://www.lhdigest.com/digest/Photopage.cfm?Photo=6034

Duke & Irene

Duke - I have changed this to a link since the image is actually on another site and is not one of your own images. Anyone can click the link and it will open in a new window. Dave

Duke & Irene,

If you haven't already talked to the Claytons, it's my guess he would be happy to discuss this subject with you. I know he has built several from 2-3ft to this very tall one in the photo. He goes by the name of "Boats" and is a very likable fellow. You can reach him initially through his email at:
NORDICFINN@wavecable.com

Please share pictures when you get this underway...progress pictures.

Judy
P.S.
Just heard that "Boats" is working on a 35 footer now. Wow!

At 26 feet tall I was thinking it could be occupied. If no one can go inside, it probably doesn’t require a building permit. But as you said you should check.

Nice lighthouse.

Wow, what an enterprise! We would love to build something like that. But there is no room in our back garden - sorry "yard"

Would love to see the progress in pictures! Have fun!

Ahoy & Avast!

We got in touch with Al Clayton and he has graciously offered to advise us. Irene and I are so excited. For myself, this has been a life-long dream just about at least since that day in 1972 when I became the keeper at Curtis Island Light Station.

We intend on taking many many pictures so please standby for the inevitable Picture #1 - "This is Duke swinging a hammer" Picture #2 - "This is Duke hitting his thumb" Picture #3 - 'Here's Irene trying not to bust a gut laughing"

Be well mates,

Duke & Irene

Will be looking forward to photos of the progress on this large endeavor! I agree that it should occupied...What are the plans for use?

We would like to have a small study just below the lantern room and we want to be able to install our telescope up top somehow. We don't know if this or any of it is possible but we will be trying to figure it all out!

BTW, Debbie, noticed that you are from Northern Wisconsin. Irene is from Milwaukee and I had lived in WI on and off for 15 years....I still ain't thawed out!!!!

Sounds like an interesting project.

Wish that I could help you. It is an interesting project. Please keep us posted on the project.

bobo