The first time I ever saw the thirty-five foot 1873 vintage open frame iron tower, it was laying, rusting, on it's side outside the seaward walls of Fort Morgan, on the eastern side of the mouth to Mobile bay. The last few times I saw it, it was standing proudly outside the fort's walls and next to the museum, in glistening black. It's fourth order Fresnel was inside the museum.
During my post-Labor Day vacation (I am frugal... a retired college teacher, I must count pennies so I can afford my hobbies!) to the Redneck Riviera (Gulf Shores, Alabama) I elected to go photograph that light as well as the Biloxi and Pensacola lights. It was last Wednesday, clear blue AM sky with a few fluffies for contrast - and my polarizers for help as well. As I eased past the ferry landing, I detected something amiss... actually, a-missing! The light was GONE! A quick check inside the museum revealed that the iron tower had been taken by a preservation group for a complete - estimated SIX years - restoration just last month. I think I will look for my son's Erector set and some black Rustoleum paint - I can make a replica...
Discouraged, we elected not to ride the ferry - we headed for Pensacola. Sidetracked by some super deals on my wife's collectibles - and a few more old stock super deal H-L's for me, we never made it to the Navy base and lighthouse. Back to the condo with the trunk full.... and only a few shots of Sand Island from Fort Morgan (Very clear AM - 500mm f8 Canon Reflex lens helped.) in my camera, we became more typical tourists. By the way, this is a great time to go - no tourists (especially teenagers!) and the few places still open are very happy for the few visitors.
I just never expected the first lighthouse I went to see to be gone!
John
