In looking up some answers on laying brick I came across this site. I think it gives a perspective not often thought about.When climbing a LH pay careful attention to the walls.I will.
http://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/ES-Programs/Conservation/Legacy/Lighthouse/lh6.html

Terry

THANKS TERRY Adds a whole new perspective to climbing the spiral staircase!! I personally haven't seen any as bad as depicted though, probably because most of the ones I've visited have been restored and open to the general public.!! Thanks for sharing this site, it was interesting to me being a former engineer I'm always interested in how things work or are put together.
Pharologst




[This message has been edited by pharologst (edited 10-02-2000).]

Lots of intesting reading here Terry. Thanks!

Is Mosquito Inlet Lighthouse a.k.a. Ponce Inlet?

Yes it is, Sean. From "Florida Lighthouses" by Kevin McCarthy:

"The lighthouse took its name from the nearby inlet and the fact that the Spanish had called the land there Los Mosquitos. The name "Mosquito" was an accurate reminder of how prevalent the pesky bugs were in former days and how annoying such pests could be for lighthouse families living near swamps and lakes. Chambers of Commerce have managed to euphemize many such names since that time, for example changing Mosquito County to Orange County and Mosquito River in Volusia County to Halifax River. In 1926, Mosquito Inlet became Ponce de Leon Inlet, honoring the Spanish explorer who discovered Florida in 1513."

Hey Sue, ...Thanks for that info. You certainly are good at finding things out for our fellow forum members.

Bob

Thanks Terry!!! Being in the construction business I found the site to be very informative and useful. If it wasn't for the fact that most LH designer's used shear "mass" in designing and constructing these gems up through the 18th & 19th century, they would have all crumpled into oblivion long ago. But, at the same time it only goes to prove that nothing lasts forever, thus, "PRESERVATION" is the only key for their survival....no matter how well they were designed and constructed. Thanks again.......

Have to thank I.O. for that one Bob as he bought me the book!

I guess we have to hope that if a lighthouse has been standing for 100+ years, that it would not chose the time we were in it to fall down!

This was very interesting information. Thanks for providing it for all of us.
No wonder there is so much research, study and painstaking work to restoration.
Derith