Cape San Blas and George Core Park in Port St. Joe, Florida exemplifies the spirit of Port St. Joe’s community.
After being deemed excess property by the Air Force, the City of Port St. Joe applied to the National Park Service and was awarded ownership of the Cape San Blas Lighthouse and buildings in 2012.
The City of Port St. Joe raised funds to relocate the buildings. The lighthouse and dwellings were moved by truck convoy from Cape San Blas 12 miles away. Three cranes placed the lighthouse atop its new foundation and moved it to George Core Park.
George Core Park is an ideal venue for the City of Port St. Joe's community festivals and special events. The calm, warm, shallow waters of Port St. Joe Bay offer a pleasant respite for adults and children. The park’s Bay Walk Trail winds its way to Jetty Park and Maddox Park. The trail ends at the popular boat ramp at Frank Pate Park.
The Lighthouse Service was motivated by compassion and economics when appointing the wives of light keepers. There are many examples of wives of keepers serving as assistant keepers, thus saving the lighthouse service from having to supply additional quarters for other families. Mrs. Merrill Hussey served as Assistant Light keeper (1868-69) while husband served as Head Light Keeper at Cape San Blas Lighthouse.