NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Image at Left: Located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is the only operational lighthouse owned by the Air Force. It was first erected in 1868 near the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Seen in the foreground, the recently restored oil house is the only other remaining building on the lighthouse grounds. Photo Credit: NASA

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Image at Left: Workers prepare the 18,000-pound lamp room for removal from the lighthouse. Leaks in the roof allowed moisture to seep in. In addition to repairs and refurbishment, the original brass roof will be restored and put back in place. Photo Credit: NASA

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Image at Left: In 2004, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne caused significant damage, including stripping the paint from large areas of the distinctive black-and-white "daymark." During the renovations, the exterior will be stripped, cleaned and repainted. Photo Credit: NASA

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Image at Left: The lamp room was carefully raised by crane from the 151-foot structure and guided by workers as it cleared the light. This is believed to be the first time it has been removed since the lighthouse was dismantled and moved from its original location near the ocean to its current location over a two-year period between 1892 and 1894. Photo Credit: NASA

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Image at Left: After clearing the rotating beacon, the crane swings the lamp room free of the structure. This is the only operational lighthouse owned by the U.S. Air Force. Its rotating light is still owned and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, and was temporarily powered down in January in preparation for the restoration. Photo Credit: NASA

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Image at Left: The crane slowly lowers the structure toward the ground. During the project, dealing with the effects of rust and corrosion from the elements will ensure the lighthouse's structural integrity will be maintained. Photo Credit: NASA

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Image at Left: Workers guide the lamp room toward the ground. Future plans being coordinated with the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation call for rebuilding the keeper's quarters and other structures from the original architectural plans. Photo Credit: NASA

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Image at Left: The crane carefully swings the lamp room structure toward the flatbed truck. The projected completion of the restoration is next summer. Photo Credit: NASA

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Image at Left: The structure was secured to a truck for transport to a contractor's facility north of Cape Canaveral where it will be renovated. Once the project is completed, the lighthouse will be relit so it can continue to be an active aid to navigation. Photo Credit: NASA

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Image at Left: Under protective cover, the beacon is removed from its pedestal before being crated and sent for maintenance. This is the third type of optic to shine from this lighthouse. The original lamp was powered first by oil and then kerosene. It was replaced by an electric, beehive-shaped Fresnel lens. The Fresnel sat atop the lighthouse for more than 100 years until the current modern automated optic was installed in 1993. Photo Credit: NASA

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Cheryl L. Mansfield
NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center