The idea of creating Sanibel lighthouse, a navigational aid, was first conceived by island developers in 1833. A string of unrelated events postponed construction for fifty years. The lighthouse, pictured here, was obviously built for function rather than for aesthetic qualities. The open iron pipe design was intended to allow Florida's occasional extreme winds to pass through without much resistance. The light has survived many storms over the past 120 years, including Hurricane Donna and a severe 1944 storm that reportedly caused the tower to sway.
Today, the beacon is still operational, despite the Coast Guard's plan for deactivation. It is fully automated and serviced by the St. Petersburg Aids to Navigation Team.