Episodes
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to our followers! Each lighthouse celebrates this season differently, so we're bringing you a festive Christmas tradition from three different lighthouses that we've covered this year. Congratulations Andrea for winning our Stanley cup giveaway! References: St. Augustine Lighthouse shows off historical Christmas displaysLight the Lighthouse | Montauk Historical SocietyHarbormaster Edward Michels | East Hampton StarLighthouse Illuminations - Tide, Tidings,...
Published 12/25/23
Hello everyone! We are just popping in to give a reminder about our current giveaway - listen in to find out how to enter to win a Lighthouse Lowdown Stanley cup!
Published 12/18/23
GIVEAWAY EPISODE! Curious as to why they would name a cape and subsequent lighthouse this way? The truth will not...disappoint. Listen in for the story of a lighthouse (and land) that caused a lot of trouble for maritime crews and our keepers. Also, find out how to enter our giveaway for our first Lighthouse Lowdown merchandise! Liked this episode? Leave us a review on thelighthouselowdown.com References: Remembering the wreck of the Oriole : The Ship ReportCape Disappointment Lighthouse -...
Published 12/11/23
Yes, plural! In this episode we cover a set of very different but equally stunning range lights on the Grand Haven South Pier. Listen in for how a foghorn building became a lighthouse, some incredible uses for reinforced concrete, and for our favorite unique light characteristics in action today (hint: we love red!). Like this episode? Leave us a review on thelighthouselowdown.com References: The Montauk Lighthouse Gets Its Lens BackCoast Guard Returns Fresnel Lens to Montauk Point Lighthouse...
Published 11/27/23
St. Augustine Lighthouse is an often-photographed tower that is visually very similar in appearance to Cape Hatteras Light, aside from its bright red lantern room. The designs for this light are virtually identical to Bodie Island and Currituck Lighthouses, though the first form of St. Augustine Lighthouse dates back to the 1500's and looks very different from today! Listen in for the stories of it's past renovations, shattered Fresnel lenses, and its permanent residents that bring revenue to...
Published 11/13/23
Ready to spook your socks off?! In this episode we cover the history of Marquette Harbor Light, a bright red integral lighthouse that has had its fair share of death, drama, and transformations! In a special twist, the second half of this podcast is an interview with Susan Hill (member of the Marquette Maritime Museum Board of Directors) and Trish Kautz (Founder of Yooper Paranormal investigators), who run paranormal tours at the lighthouse! Listen in to hear the chilling stories from inside...
Published 10/30/23
Ever wonder what Where's Waldo would look like as a lighthouse? Well, look no further! This adorable light tower is the only candy-striped lighthouse in the US and is also the furthest east point in the country as well. A fan of this episode? Please leave a review on our website thelighthouselowdown.com References: https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=506https://westquoddy.com/https://uslhs.org/fun/lighthouse-accommodations/mainehttps://uslhs.org/light_lists/light_lists.php?notify=Y
Published 10/16/23
If you've watched the movie Forrest Gump, then you've seen this lighthouse! We would definitely recommend seeing it in person though, on account of its beautiful walkway, granite base, and killer keeper's cottage. Listen in for some "shocking" recent history on this beautiful Maine lighthouse! Give us a review on our website:...
Published 10/02/23
People say that if you were to visit one lighthouse in your life, Montauk Point would be the one to go to! Decorated with a beautiful main gallery railing and bold red stripe, Montauk Point Lighthouse has survived nearly 227 years in service. A renovation started in 2019 was just completed, and you can check out its retired 3rd-and-a-half order bivalve Fresnel lens in their museum! Visit our website to watch videos of our podcast and leave a review:...
Published 09/18/23
Sanibel Island Lighthouse is the first skeleton lighthouse that we've covered, and is known for shelling, the "Sanibel Stoop", and a story of resilience. The lighthouse in its deconstructed form once rested on the ocean floor, and against all odds it refuses to return. Listen in for the story of a lighthouse that stood strong through Florida's worst storms. Check out our new website and leave a review! thelighthouselowdown.com References: The Thunderstorm Whisperers: A History of Lightning...
Published 09/05/23
We are bringing you another listener lighthouse this Monday and are once again headed over to California to look at Point Arena Light! This tower had a drastic makeover to acclimate it to its environmental conditions, as well as the biggest keepers dwelling I'd ever seen! And did I mention you can get married in the lantern room? Check out our new website: thelighthouselowdown,com There you can send us voicemails and emails about lighthouses you'd like for us to cover!...
Published 08/21/23
Happy National Lighthouse Day! Snake Island Lighthouse (Ukraine) is built on land with an incredible ancient history dating back to 5th century BC and is also making history today. Listen in for the story of the transmission response that signified Ukraine's resilience in todays war, plus a skosh of Greek mythology! Check out our new website: thelighthouselowdown.com Here is the link to the USLHS Lighthouse Day competition:...
Published 08/07/23
If you have a fear of snakes, steer clear of this episode because we do a deep dive into the inhabitants of Snake Island, and how they may have offed the keepers that used to man it's lighthouse. Please check out our new website thelighthouselowdown.com and leave a message for a lighthouse you'd like to hear about!
Published 07/24/23
DISCLAIMER: This episode is very light on lighthouse information - if you enjoy listening to friends chat over some lighthouse themed beverages, this is the episode for you! Listen in and learn more (maybe too much) about your hosts as Vince whips up some special lighthouse cocktails for us and our newly wed friends Nathan and Monica. Follow us on our social media through this link: linktr.ee/thelighthouselowdown Watch our YouTube to see how each drink was made!
Published 07/10/23
Ahoy sailors! We are back from our trip around the world to bring you another international subject. What do you get when you combine hikers and lighthouses? O Camiño dos Faros, or The Lighthouse Way! This trek along the coast of Spain provides access to many different lighthouses, but as you'll hear in this podcast, you have to work for it! Check out our social media and the YouTube video for this episode: linktr.ee/thelighthouselowdown References: Hiking Spain’s luminous Lighthouse Way -...
Published 06/26/23
Next stop in our international travel is Japan to visit the Nomazaki Lighthouse or Noma Lighthouse! Lighthouses in Japan are relatively young compared to other countries and heavily influenced by Scottish lighthouse design. Noma is barely a century old, but still has legends surrounding it focused on relationships and love.Check us out on our socials: linktr.ee/thelighthouselowdownReferences:Nomazaki Lighthouse (Mihama) Essential Tips and Information (trek.zone)Nomazaki Lighthouse -...
Published 06/05/23
Sweden is home to many fascinating and historical sights, including Landsorts Fyr, the lighthouse of Öja Island. This is the oldest lighthouse in Sweden made by Swedish hands, and the second oldest lighthouse in the country! Listen to us struggle once again with pronunciation as we talk about Landsorts Lighthouse's several-century-long lifespan and the reasons you should visit its beautiful island.Follow us on social media: linktr.ee/thelighthouselowdownReferences:Landsort - lighthouse wiki...
Published 05/22/23
The name alone strikes fear into the hearts of those that hear it, but the lighthouse was just an unwilling victim of the dark stories behind this island and its past inhabitants. Listen in for stories of fire, murder, a jailbreak, and possibly a tennis court? Follow our social media: linktr.ee/thelighthouselowdown References: Alcatraz Island Lighthouse, California at Lighthousefriends.com The History of Alcatraz (alcatrazhistory.com) Alcatraz Island Lighthouse - Wikipedia Alcatraz Lighthouse...
Published 05/08/23
Also known as Trinity Buoy Wharf Light, this lighthouse is the only one in London! Surrounded inside and out by strange and goofy attractions, the Blackwall Lighthouse has connections to a famous chemist, 1000-year-long music pieces, and hanged pirates. Follow this link to check out our social media and website:...
Published 04/24/23
This lighthouse may ring a bell when you see it, as it's graced the cover of books, license plates, and chip bags! This episode actually goes through eight different lighthouses, leading up to the current red and white Nauset Light. Listen in to hear how the first 3 lighthouses bit the dust in a watery grave, and how the rest were given new lives. GIVEAWAY EPISODE!! Listen in to this episode to hear how to enter into our giveaway to win a bag of the INCREDIBLE Captain Cecil's ground coffee,...
Published 04/10/23
Welcome to our first Spanish lighthouse, which happens to be the last lighthouse built in Cantabria, Spain. Faro de Ajo, or Garlic Lighthouse, flew under the radar for most of its existence until one very controversial event put it on the map (for tourists at least) and made it the most colorful lighthouse in the world. Seriously, you're going to want to check out our Instagram for this one! Follow us on social media and check out our YouTube: linktr.ee/thelighthouselowdown References: Sea...
Published 03/27/23
This lighthouse has to be seen to be believed! Perched on the teeniest and most precarious piece of rock, this Greek lighthouse was rebuilt as homage to a lost....well, you'll just have to listen in! Follow this link to check out our sponsor New Egg: https://bit.ly/LighthouseLowdown And follow this one to see our social media and website: linktr.ee/thelighthouselowdown References: Tourlitis Lighthouse... the first automatic lighthouse in Greece (andros.travel) Tourlitis Lighthouse – Andros,...
Published 03/13/23
This "lighthouse" name may catch your eye, as will its supremely nautical appearance and novel history! The Salty Dawg was opened in 1957 inside a cabin that today is the oldest original structure in its towns history. The lighthouse part of this pub is another mystery and was hiding a very unique secret. See pictures of the Salty Dawg Saloon on our Instagram and check out our website by following the link tree below: linktr.ee/thelighthouselowdown Use this link for your tech purchases and...
Published 02/27/23
The East Brother Light Station has been shaken and burned, yet rose from the ashes to become one of the most beautiful and unique bed and breakfasts we've ever seen! Listen in for tales of earthquakes, explosions, and the job available that puts you in a keeper's shoes. P.S. Make sure you listen to the very end to hear the station's foghorn! Take a look at the BNBs website for the job application and to learn more about the lighthouse: https://ebls.org/ Follow us on Instagram...
Published 02/13/23
We have an extra special guest today! Toby Smith has the lease to land that includes the Paradise Island Lighthouse in the Bahamas, but nothing is going quite according to plan. Listen in to hear his plans for restoring the lighthouse, bringing in revenue, and the battle to keep the land and lighthouse in local hands. Check out pictures of the lighthouse from Toby himself on our Instagram @thelighthouselowdown Also, we now have a YouTube page! Take a look at...
Published 01/30/23