The Pensacola Lighthouse was built by Lt. George Horatio Derby (The Soldier Joker). He was the 8th District Lighthouse Engineer (1857-1859). The Pensacola Lighthouse that was lit in 1859 survived the Civil War (including bombardment), two lightning strikes, an earthquake, and ALL of the hurricanes and tornadoes that have plagued the Gulf Coast. He was the Engineer of record for the lighting of the lighthouses of Sand Island and Pensacola on January 1, 1859.