This is part two of a two-part interview with Ralph Krugler, historian for the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society. Ralph is not only one of the most knowledgeable people about Florida lighthouses, but he also has been helping with the ongoing creation of the J. Candace Clifford Lighthouse Research Catalog for the U.S. Lighthouse Society.

Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse; USLHS photo

Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse is on the southeast coast of Florida. The property is now cared for by the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society, and public tours access the light station by boat.  You can learn more about the organization and tours at hillsborolighthouse.org. In this part of the interview, Ralph talks about the very colorful history of the light station and its keepers, about the book he’s written about it and his research sources, and about the work he’s done on the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s research catalog.

Hillsboro Inlet Light Station in 1920. National Archives photo 26-LG-28-17