Sanibel Island Lighthouse glows again. Iconic structure making comeback after Ian

Mark H. Bickel and Andrew West, Fort Myers News-Press
·1 min read

The Sanibel Lighthouse is making its comeback.

Five months to the day after Hurricane Ian nearly toppled the iconic Southwest Florida structure, a ceremony was held Tuesday morning, Feb. 28, at the base of the lighthouse to celebrate the light being turned on for the first time since Sept. 28, 2022.

The News-Press visual journalist Andrew West was on site when Sanibel officials pushed the button to get the light at the top of the 98-foot high, pyramid-shaped lighhouse blinking again. The lighthouse was rumored to be "washed away" by Hurricane Ian. It did lose one of its legs. A temporary leg is being used until a permanent fix can be made.

Did you know: The Sanibel Lighthouse started operating in 1894.

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Here are photos West took that tell the story of the relighting as well as some images from our archives:

Officials, community members gathered at the base of the Sanibel Lighthouse

A relighting ceremony of the Sanibel Lighthouse was held on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 morning. Members of the community showed up for the 6 a.m. event. The light was turned on a few minutes after six. The lighthouse has been dark since Hurricane Ian slammed into Southwest Florida. One of the legs was washed away and the cottages were destroyed in the storm. The leg is being repaired.

The relighting of the Sanibel Lighthouse ceremony started at 6 a.m.

Among the officials and dignataries at the relighting ceremony of the Sanibel Lighthouse were Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith.
Among the officials and dignataries at the relighting ceremony of the Sanibel Lighthouse were Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith.

It was a cool morning and the sun started to rise during the relighting ceremony

Unlike Sept. 28, 2022 when Hurricane Ian lashed the Southwest Florida coast, including Sanibel Island, the weather was perfect on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2022 for the relighting ceremony of the Sanibel Lighthouse.
Unlike Sept. 28, 2022 when Hurricane Ian lashed the Southwest Florida coast, including Sanibel Island, the weather was perfect on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2022 for the relighting ceremony of the Sanibel Lighthouse.

The ceremony took place at Lighthouse Beach Park

The Sanibel Lighthouse was built to mark the entrance to San Carlos Bay for ships calling at the port of Punta Rassa, across San Carlos Bay from Sanibel Island.
The Sanibel Lighthouse was built to mark the entrance to San Carlos Bay for ships calling at the port of Punta Rassa, across San Carlos Bay from Sanibel Island.

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The Sanibel Lighthouse is located on the eastern tip of the island

The Sanibel Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
The Sanibel Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

'A beacon of hope': Sanibel Lighthouse glows again

The Sanibel Lightlight, or Sanibel Light, as some people refer to it, glows again on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.
The Sanibel Lightlight, or Sanibel Light, as some people refer to it, glows again on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.

From our archives: Sanibel Lighthouse's temporary leg

The Sanibel Lighthouse has a new temporary leg after the original was washed away in Hurricane Ian.
The Sanibel Lighthouse has a new temporary leg after the original was washed away in Hurricane Ian.

From our archives: Saniel Lighthouse pre-Hurricane Ian

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Sanibel Lighthouse in Florida relit 5 months after Hurricane Ian