In the beginning the current lighthouse was located about a mile and a half east toward the tip of Cape Canaveral. It was not, however, the first lighthouse located on the cape. The first tower, built of brick, was just 65 feet tall. After many mariners voiced their concern that this structure was not tall enough to sufficiently warn ships of the abundance of shoals just off the cape shores, the government approved construction of the current tower.

Today’s lighthouse was originally built about 80 to 90 feet from the first brick tower but was moved inland in the late 1800’s due to the encroaching sea. Relocating a structure this unique is no small task. In the late 1800’s it must have been a daunting one. Given the climate of the Cape, the heat in the summer, as well as the lowlands and swamps that dot the cape, finding a suitable route had to have been a challenge.