Original Second-order Lens Continues In Operation

Located between Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Fl is the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse. Although this lighthouse was not built until 1907, it wasn't because no one had spoken for it. In fact as far back as 1851 requests were made to have a lighthouse built at Hillsboro Inlet. Once approved, the Lighthouse Board decided not to build a new structure, but acquired a steel skeleton tower which had been displayed at the 1904 Great St. Louis Exposition. After the tower was transported to Hillsboro Inlet, workers erected it alongside a trio of wood-framed houses built for the keeper and his assistants. The completed lighthouse is a 137-foot tall pyramidal structure. It has a central spiral stairway which rises 175 steps from ground level to the watch room just beneath the lantern room. The lantern room was equipped with a second-order Fresnel Lens with the light provided from a kerosene lamp. The lower framework of the tower was painted white and the entire upper portion black.

 

The light was electrified in 1932 and its strength increased from 630,000 to 5,500,000 candlepower, making it one of the strongest beacons of light on the Atlantic Coast at the time. In 1947, the head keeper's house was destroyed by a hurricane.

In 1974, the lighthouse was automated, and later the remaining keepers' quarters were converted to vacation retreats for senior military personnel. Due to requests from local civic groups, in 1999 the Coast Guard reversed a previous decision to have the Fresnel lens removed and placed in a museum. Thanks to the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society, there was a historic relighting of the original second-order Fresnel lens and it continues in operation. The lens can be seen closer up by clicking on the picture.