Hillsboro Inlet Light

Hillsboro Inlet Light

Location	north side of Hillsboro Inlet
Coordinates
Year first constructed	1907
Year first lit	1907
Automated	1974
Foundation	iron piling
Construction	iron
Tower shape	octagonal skeletal with cylinder
Original lens	second-order bivalve Fresnel lens
Range	28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi)
Characteristic	White, Flashing every 20 seconds
Hillsboro Inlet Light Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Area	3 acres (1.2 ha)
NRHP Reference #	79000661
Added to NRHP	February 16, 1974

Hillsboro Inlet Light is located on the north side of Hillsboro Inlet, midway between Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, in Hillsboro Beach, Florida. The light marks the northern limit of the Florida Reef, an underwater coral formation on the lower east coast of the state.

In 1901, the United States Lighthouse Establishment persuaded Congress to authorize the construction of a lighthouse in the dark area between Jupiter Inlet Light and Fowey Rocks Light. In the second half of the 20th century, this inlet became an increasingly busy waterway. Hillsboro Inlet Light is considered one of the most powerful lights in the world with a beam that can be seen for 28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi).

The octagonal iron pyramidal tower was built at Russel Wheel & Foundry Co in Detroit, Michigan, moved to the Hillsboro Inlet Light Station in 1906, and lit on March 7, 1907. Its second-order bivalve Fresnel lens emits a light measuring 5.5 megacandelas and is placed 136 feet (41 m) above sea level. Automated in 1974, the light acts both as a coastal navigational aide and as a support to local water traffic.

The light was relit in 2000, with 400 pounds (180 kg) of mercury replaced by a specially designed ball-bearing assembly.

In 2003, Hillsboro Inlet Light was honored with a 37¢ U.S. postage stamp.

References

• Crompton, Samuel Willard. "The Lighthouse Book." Barnes and Noble Books, New York, 1999. ISBN 0-7607-1135-6.
• McCarthy, Kevin M. (1990) //Florida Lighthouses. University of Florida Press ISBN 0-8130-0993-6

External links

• The Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society - Lighthouse information and 2 minute video with aerial view, internal views and description of lens.