Posted by Warren Lee SILPG Chairman on January 30, 2001 at 19:58:32:
The Alabama Historical Commission's Executive Director
Lee H. Warner sent a letter to the General Services Commissions property management division rejecting Alabama accepting ownership of the Sand Island Lighthouse. I was carbon copied on the letter and received it today. It is a sad thing that the Lighthouse has been rejected by the AHC. The lighthouse was even deemed not a significant national historic landmark by the Alabama Historical Commissions Director. Even though the AHC had been instrumental in having the Sand Island Lighthouse placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1972. While this terrible news is akin to signing a death warrant for this beautiful lighthouse. We have and are working on alternative plans. The AHC director has also stated to me on the telephone today that he plans on not approving our tertiary efforts to obtain ownership unless we have five million dollars in place to fund restorative efforts. I do not agree with his figures and think that with five hundred thousand dollars we could secure the lighthouse for possible as long as the next fifty years at its present location.
We are going to wait until the Dauphin island town council meets next week as see what they will do regarding the lighthouse. The city Dauphin Island proper is next in line to accept ownership of the Lighthouse. If you wish to respond to the AHC's decision you may contact them at,
334-242-3184 voice 334-240-3477 fax
or mail them at;
Sate of Alabama
Alabama Historical Commission
Lee H. Warner Executive Director
468 Soth PErry Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-0900
Please direct email for me to bamalighthouse@cs.com
Thank you,
Warren Lee