The City of Cape Canaveral is located on the central east coast of Florida. During the years of the "I Dream of Jeannie" television show, the space center was frequently, yet erroneously, called Cape Canaveral. This is because the Kennedy Space Center is located just north of the City of Cape Canaveral, and missiles are launched from the cape at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. To this day many people are still confused about the names. Today all manned launches occur at the Kennedy Space Center, while unmanned launches take place at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Cape Canaveral Lighthouse

The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is located on the cape at the Air Force Station. It is generally not open for public access, however at times special tours may be arranged. The brick lighthouse was built in 1848, with each of its 15 lamps containing 21-inch reflectors. After complaints that the original lighthouse was not visible enough, plans were made to build a new tower with improved lenses in 1860. However the Civil War interfered with the plans and delayed the project. In 1868 the new lighthouse made of iron and brick was completed. At the top of the new 160-foot lighthouse was a first order Fresnel lens.

The lighthouse was relocated to its current site in 1894 because shoreline erosion threatened its location. Since 1848 the lighthouse has had many functions. It was not only used for mariners, but was also used as a watch tower during the Civil War, World War I and World War II. Additionally, it was used to watch for rum runners during prohibition. Since 1967 the lighthouse has been automated and unmanned.

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space and Missile Museum

Rockets have a long history on Cape Canaveral dating back to early 1950's military launches. During the 1950's and 1960's programs such as Explorer 1, Redstone, Jupiter, Bumper, Thor, Pershing, Lark, Snark, Polaris and Juno were undertaken at the Cape.

Today the engineers are working on the Atlas V and Delta IV programs. Located at the cape is the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space and Missile Museum. The museum preserves both the hardware and the spirit of United State's ventures into space. It displays numerous missiles, rockets and related space equipment and although not generally open to the public, it is accessible to visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. Visitors to the complex wishing to visit the Space and Missile Museum are advised to take the bus tour called "Cape Canaveral: Then and Now." The tour lasts about 2 1/2 hours and includes a 30-minute stop at the museum, NASA's Launch Complex 5/6, and various other historic launch complexes at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. For more information about the tour call (321) 452-2121 or (321) 449-4322. If you have a group of 15 or more people, and would like to arrange a tour, please contact 45th Space Wing Community Relations Office two weeks in advance.

The first attempted launch at Cape Canaveral took place in July 1950, although it was unsuccessful. The historic Space Launch Complex 26 was the location of the first successful launch of a U.S. satellite -- Explorer 1-which took place Jan. 31, 1958. Since that time Complex 26 hosted 36 launches until its deactivation in 1963. The museum's grounds at Cape Canaveral also include Space Launch Complex 5/6 where the first two U.S. manned space flights by astronauts Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom originated. The blockhouse and the control rooms for Complex 26 have been authentically restored with much of the original equipment. The blockhouse, with its two-foot thick walls, sits a mere 400 feet from twin launch pads. Passing through the outer blast doors, visitors step back in time upon entering the firing rooms, which are furnished with original computers, consoles and launch support equipment. The Exhibit Hall features numerous space-related displays on the important role of the Air Force in the development of space exploration as well as its continuing involvement. Within the Exhibit Hall is one of only two complete German V-2 engines in the U.S. A similar engine powered the first two Bumper launches from Cape Canaveral in 1950. Dominating an entire room of the Exhibit Hall is Gemini II, the only unmanned spacecraft to complete two space missions, and the only one to exhibit military markings.

Also featured is a collection of weapon systems including a Sidewinder, Falcons, and Bullpups. Visitors may stroll through the outdoor Rocket Garden, which boasts 55 rockets---one of the largest rocket collections in the country. Many rare and one-of-a-kind examples are displayed including Navaho, Skybolt, Firebird and Bull Goose rockets. Active Delta launch pads, adjacent to the museum, provide a breathtaking backdrop to the historic aerospace vehicles now at rest in the Rocket Garden.

For more information about the Museum, contact the Museum Curator at 321-853-9171.

Photos and text material credited to:
City of Cape Canaveral
North Brevard Business Directory
Cape Canaveral Lighthouse
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station/Space and Missile Museum
Mark Wade/Astronautix.com

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