krugler43-blog

[krugler43-blog]

In #WWII fortunately there wasn’t much activity at the #HillsboroLighthouse. However, what happens when you get a group of late teenage/early 20’s aged guys, station them on a peninsula and give them little to do by means of energy burning activities? Well the obvious answer is - no good, shenanigans. The young #USCG men assigned here had tons of energy to burn. #Onthisday in 1942 they weren’t cleaning up after a hurricane, fighting in combat, or polishing brass in the tower. No, at “10:30 am W.Z. Roznek 524-699 a.s.(R) injured his while wrestling in quarters; 10:45 am Dr McClellan arrived and advised that Roznek be sent to hospital... Roznek is a member of U.S. Coast Guard beach Patrol that is operating from this unit.” Exactly what he hurt is a mystery as that was omitted from the Log. #nosurprise (Text courtesy of the #NationalArchives. Photo courtesy of #BrowardCountyPublicLibrary) #pompanobeach #hillsborobeach #lighthousepoint #florida (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2rHemNHezt/?igshid=144o81hxecq3

[krugler43-blog]

Just wanted to say a very heartfelt “thank-you” to the #pompanobeachhistoricalsociety . I was honored to speak there about the #HillsboroLighthouse after writing my book on it. They had received nice donations that night and graciously split it with the #HillsboroLighthousePreservationSociety We at the HLPS are very appreciative of this donation as we are a 501(c)3, all volunteer group who pay for and do the work of keeping the lighthouse going. It takes a lot of money to keep an iron tower on the salty/sandy shore standing. We appreciate every penny donated...which is tax deductible by the way... :) But seriously, thank you again to the PBHS! And visit them! They have great programs, are very helpful, gracious, friendly, have tourable Kester cottages with artifacts and the original and second #firedepartment engines! Very cool to see! 217 NE 4th Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33060 954-782-3015. #mustdo #pompanobeach #visit (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2pkhQbH1ND/?igshid=oy1lib5qmros

[krugler43-blog]

#Onthisday in 1954 Clarence (Bob) L Miller took over as OIC (Keeper) at the #HillsboroLighthouse. The Blue Ridge, Georgia native was already stationed at a lighthouse when his transfer orders came in. When Hillsboro began it was remote, but not as much as being in a #lighthouse 100 miles from #Ketchikan , Alaska. “Bob” was married and had two children, one named Ann. Upon his arrival, he found the duty to be relatively easy and the crew thought they had it made. The old Assistant Keeper’s storehouse was now the crews quarters, complete with TV and radio. Remember, this was the 1959’s and not everyone owned one, both, or either. They didn’t have air conditioning, so to combat corrosion the salt air would bring, they left both on all day long. The heat never failed to keep the moisture away. We currently don’t know Mrs Millers, or their other child’s name. If you do, or have photos like the one featured here from 1954, please share and I’ll always give credit to you. This photo is from the HLPS Archives and sadly didn’t have a donors name attached. #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #lighthousepoint #florida #uscg (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2oVozxnNAv/?igshid=1n7hzarvhk78q

[krugler43-blog]

#Onthisday nothing exciting happened unless you consider shoveling sand and hurricane clean up exciting. The attached picture is from the Fort Lauderdale Daily News from Sept 18, 1985. Locals Myles Loesel and bride Louise Lawrence Loesel wed at the top of the #HillsboroLighthouse. #HappyAnniversary I’d also like to put a request out for anyone who has photos from the 1990’s and earlier that include the lighthouse, lighthouse property, inlet or families of our Keepers. We’re trying to preserve our local history in pictures and stories. Every photo (believe it or not) helps us in our preservation efforts and shares information we can use to verify stories, clarify questions and widen our knowledge! Please look through those dusty photo albums when you get a second. Many thanks!!! #preservation #lighthouse #history #pompanobeach #hillsborobeach #lighthousepoint #florida (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2l1wTMHMCY/?igshid=1u7hqbx79tnqo

[krugler43-blog]

#Onthisday in 1926 the #HillsboroLighthouse endured one of the worst hurricanes to date. “From 2 Am. to 3:30 Am. Glass continued to fall... From 4 Am to 8Pm. Seas swept entirely across reservation, taking away dock and boathouse- High bank on E. Side of Station cut away to Keepers fence, & around base of tower. Quite a lot of mercury was thrown from mercury tub. Light was kept going.” (The “glass” mentioned was the barometer). The photo is from a 1950 edition of the #FortLauderdale Daily News. Former keeper Isler is shown with then OIC (Keeper) William King. In the accompanying article, Isler said “heavy wind and the sea kept hammering away at the tower until I was sure it was going to topple into the Inlet. The vibration was terrific.... I recall seeing the roof of the boathouse sailing across the inlet. A small boat stored under the lighthouse was carried away along with other equipment.” When asked if he was scared, “Naw, I wasn’t scared, but I didn’t like it a darn bit.” (1st quote courtesy of the #NationalArchives. 2nd and photo Ft Lauderdale Daily News) #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #lighthousepoint #hurricane #storm #lighthouse #florida (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2jRxfVHfwZ/?igshid=mz4ag0obsla9

[krugler43-blog]

#Onthisday in 1928 the Okeechobee Hurricane, with a 25 mile wide eye finally made landfall off #PalmBeach. At the Station, “Wind SE blowing about 50 mi per hour, with heavy rain squalls. Keeper and 2nd Asst. worked in tower entire day. Dipped up about 100 lbs, (1 gal) mercury, strained water out and put in tub. Succeeded in getting Illuminating apparatus to operate after putting in 30 lbs. of mercury by hand. Clock operated with too much weight.” Knight and Isler kept the light going, but bending the truth in later years, Isler conveniently omitted that Knight was there too. The hurricane would wreck the earthen dyke on Lake Okeechobee’s southern shore and towns were literally washed away. Afterward, bodies were pulled from the wreckage and waters 2 and 3 at a time. The survivors couldn’t keep up making pine boxes for the dead. Due to the Florida sun and heat the bodies decomposed quickly; so the Health Dept mandated that bodies be burned. Those that weren’t burned were buried in mass graves. Until 2003, hundreds of bodies that had been dumped in a mass paupers grave, had gone unrecognized. This storm also made Cap move business to its present location. Then in 2012, the HLPS and #Florida lost Dr Raymond McAllister, grandson of yesterday’s post on Ramon Pinder. (Text courtesy of the #NationalArchives. Photo courtesy of dignitymemorial.com) #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #lighthousepoint #hurricane #tragedy #okeechobee (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2guf03H9dm/?igshid=9naxpxuz1q1z

[krugler43-blog]

This is former 1st Assistant Ramon Pinder and his adopted daughter Jessie. #Onthisday in 1909 it was his first day at the #HillsboroLighthouse. Ramon was brothers-in-law with former Assistant Samuel Curry. Pinder’s grandson, Dr Raymond McAllister, wrote about Jessie who was born and then living in the Bahamas, “Her mother died when she was 4 or 5 years old and her father remarried. The (censored) he married did not want a child she had not borne so she apparently made life miserable... One day she left the child on a sandbar... When a fishing boat went by, Jessie was tippy-toeing to keep her nose above water...” Her uncle Ramon adopted her shortly thereafter. Also on this day in 1928 the deadly Okeechobee Hurricane blew past registering 130 mph winds. Then in 1947 the Bennett family sought refuge inside the lighthouse as hurricane George ravaged the station. (Photo courtesy of Raymond McAllister) #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #lighthousepoint #florida #lighthouse #hurricane (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2eCtEdH350/?igshid=13biuz8dlfpya

[krugler43-blog]

#Onthisday in 1909, Minnie Mae Dowling was born. Minnie would marry Burnham Knight, and her older sister Annie Jane would marry Ben Stone. Both sisters would spend significant time at the #HillsboroLighthouse. Also on this day in 1924, the station school finished classes for the term. #schoolsout #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #lighthousepoint #florida (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2cJhnMno6q/?igshid=19o11kz7kls6q

[krugler43-blog]

#Onthisday in 1945 the crew at the #HillsboroLighthouse started their morning securing the station for yet another #hurricane. This one made landfall at #KeyLargo and then went to #DadeCo. The #CityofHomestead was slammed, leaving the Air Corps Base flattened. The #lighthouse station was once again covered in sand. #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #hurricaneseason #lighthousepoint #florida (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ZiIDCHfs0/?igshid=1hcvx7t1tsmyz

[krugler43-blog]

In back to back years on this date two 2nd Class seamen ran afoul of OIC (Keeper) Bennett at the #HillsboroLighthouse. In 1942, seaman Sweet “was insolent and insubordinate... has been very resentful in taking orders on a number of occasions and on one occasion causing trouble with civil authorities... has been relieved of all duties and is under guard...” The next year seaman Breckenridge “was found asleep on watch in tower watch room, by Warren Bennett...” oops! (Photo courtesy of the #USCG. Text courtesy of the #NationalArchives) #busted #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #lighthousepoint #florida #wwII (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2T1ARsHphz/?igshid=1wqn3mqmcyqo8

[krugler43-blog]

This was the oil house at the #HillsboroLighthouse. It stored all the kerosene used by the original lighting system for the #FresnelLens and handheld lanterns. When the tower was electrified in 1932 it didn’t take long for the cottages to follow. The roof needed fixing in 1937, but since the original purpose for it had passed, #onthisday of that year, it was decided that the structure was no longer needed. It, sadly, would be torn down. #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #lighthousepoint #florida #kerosene #oil (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2RRnypHZyX/?igshid=1qlnaspmaplm

[krugler43-blog]

Ok. This is another of those amazing stories from the past of the #HillsboroLighthouse. #Onthisday in 1960 Hurricane Donna was slamming our coast. #USCG OIC(Keeper) John Evdokimoff and step son Tim Williams were the only two left on the peninsula. They started out in their cottage, but as winds increased, John thought it wiser to stay in the concrete block radio room. Then a call came in from USCG Miami. Back then the lighthouse had a weathervane on the west side. Miami was monitoring wind speeds from there; then it suddenly stopped. Their call wasn’t a request, but an order to fix it. John had tied a rope from cottage to radio bldg. to lighthouse prior to the storm. They used it to get to the tower. The pics are the door in the Lantern Room he exited (on the east side),the narrow catwalk, and the “safety handles” he used to get around. Tim stayed inside, handing him the tools he needed. After completion, they stayed in the tower till it was over. Wow. #hillsborbeach #pompanobeach #lighthousepoint #florida #hurricanedonna (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Os4faHTaj/?igshid=626npvb3wm20

[krugler43-blog]

#Onthisday in 1942, the #HillsboroLighthouse was gearing up for a new radio aerial. “USCG tender Mistletoe arrived ... with 2 piling that are to be used for radio poles ...” The poles were 100’ each. Pictured is the Mistletoe (courtesy of Greg Ciesielski) #uscg #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #florida (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2MADAPHRJF/?igshid=siwvst0prwzq

[krugler43-blog]

#Onthisday in 1918, the #HillsboroLighthouse station was rather busy. “U.S. Naval tug ... stopped off Station at 8A.M. to send message to Miami... About 5:30 in P.M. two sea-planes were forced to land on beach in front of Station owing to heavy squalls.” They would spend the night and the following day “Worked until 1P.M. helping pull plane off beach. Furnished crews off planes (6 men) with meals.” (Photo courtesy of the Mary Voss collection) #pompanobeach #hillsborobeach #lighthousepoint #florida #lighthouse #seaplane (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2JyuBPni4G/?igshid=1tvwm35rkdwb8

[krugler43-blog]

#Onthisday in 1947 OIC (Keeper) Warren Bennett had an accident. While preparing for hurricane George (or known as the Ft. Lauderdale hurricane), he “was hurt while attempting to crank fire-pump motor, the crank stuck when motor started, then jumped off and hit him on the left side of face and head, cutting a hole in his lower left side of cheek, he was taken to Broward General Hospital for medical treatment... his cheek was sewed up... would have to have further medical treatment to start 8 Sept. 1947.” Well, due to the storm he would have to wait 13 days for follow up treatment. Also, in 2003 #PompanoBeach lost David Butler. He was not only a founding member of the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society, but was president, as well as, president of the #PompanoBeachHistoricalSociety. He left a wonderful mark on our community! #hillsborobeach #lighthousepoint #florida (photo courtesy of the Bennett family. Text courtesy of the #NationalArchives) (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2HOKv5HHGK/?igshid=gcm1aq4ul0sm

[krugler43-blog]

#Onthisday in 1933 the keepers at the #HillsboroLighthouse were in clean up mode. A Cat 5 hurricane had passed on the 3rd heading to Texas. Hillsboro was spared a direct hit, but swells covered sand and debris across the reservation. The keepers would be shoveling sand and cleaning until the 15th. #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #lighthousepoint #florida #hurricane (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2EQ4jsHVOt/?igshid=oqypdlfmaow5

[krugler43-blog]

In 1930 District Inspector Beck finally got to build the granite block jetty off the #HillsboroLighthouse. One of the purposes was to help catch sand and be a solid support to hold the sand and restore a huge chunk of beachhead that had eroded. #Onthisday in 1932 post #hurricane head keeper Thomas Knight wrote to Beck. “From base of tower to about two-thirds (2/3) length of jetty the beach has built up to a depth of about four feet, that is against jetty.” It seemed that the plan was working. This photo isn’t from that date, but gives a close approximation of what it looked like. (Photo courtesy of #MiamiHistorical.) #hillsborobeach #pompanobeach #lighthousepoint #florida (at Hillsboro Lighthouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2BuMHEH-3O/?igshid=61vx0gt7w59