August 7^th is National Lighthouse Day—and here in Port Orange, we’re just minutes away from one of the nation’s tallest, most beautiful and richly storied lights! Just read on to learn more about the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse in honor of the big day.

Ponce Inlet was (eventually) named after a Spanish conquistador

Ponce Inlet owes its name to Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon—who, legend has it, discovered the Sunshine State on a quest to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. The famous figure named our state “La Florida” upon his arrival in the 1500s, after the lush, colorful landscape he discovered here. However, it wasn’t until 1926 that Ponce Inlet formally became, well, Ponce Inlet. Prior to this, the area as known as Mosquito Inlet, named long ago thanks to its famous swampy climate. (Of course, we think this latest name has a better ring to it!)

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is Florida’s tallest—and stand stall next to lights across the country, too

Our beautiful brick-red lighthouse is the Sunshine State’s tallest at 175 feet high. It stands tall and proud next to the nation’s highest lighthouses, too, and is third highest in the nation only after Cape Hatteras Light in North Carolina and Cape Charles Light in Virginia. As far as lighthouses go, we’re happy to be in some seriously cool company.

The light played a role in literary history

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse has seen the Sunshine State through everything from huge hurricanes to famous wars—but did you know that it has also played a role in literary history? The sight of the lighthouse on land helped save author Stephen Crane and several crew members of the SS Commodore, which sank just after New Year’s in 1897. It gave the survivors a sight to swim toward after the boat struck a sandbar and took on water, a harrowing story famously retold in Crane’s short story, “The Open Boat.”

Bonus: Lighthouse fun pairs perfectly with your favorite Port Orange café!

This National Lighthouse Day and all year long, the Ponce Inlet Light is a local landmark we’re proud to have in our community. Whether you’re climbing up for a beautiful ocean view, or are exploring via virtual visit, you can pair your educational adventure with a delicious Port Orange staple: Peach Valley Café. You can easily order your favorite Pancakes, Orchard-Fresh Apple Fritters, Chicken & Waffles and other feel-good staples online to bring home or enjoy for a beach or backyard picnic! We can’t wait to serve you soon.