Despite the demolition of Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel Island, which was prompted by both a long-planned reconstruction project and accelerated by damage from Hurricane Ian, the beloved tradition of releasing a new limited edition Christmas Ornament for 2023 remains unbroken.
The inception of the Bailey’s ornament collection dates back to 2009. These ornaments are truly exceptional and have historically been crafted for Bailey’s by Charleston Mint. Constructed from solid brass and then meticulously gold-plated, these ornaments boast a rich history of being treasured keepsakes.
Each ornament has been a limited production, with a unique number marking its exclusivity. Moreover, every ornament has been accompanied by its own certification of authenticity, assuring its genuine origin and craftsmanship. To add to the ornament’s charm, a written explanation of its historical significance has previously included, enhancing the appreciation of these beautiful collectibles.
For the BIG REVEAL of Bailey’s 2023 “Sanibel Light” Ornament, the store announced:
2023’s ornament reflects the enduring spirit of islanders and visitors near and far. First lit on August 20th, 1884, the Sanibel Light, also known as the Point Ybel Light, marks the entrance to San Carlos Bay and the historic port of Punta Rassa. This location was strategically located for Florida’s booming cattle industry and trade with locales further south. Florida Crackers driving their cattle to the port began an enduring pilgrimage across San Carlos Bay and beyond first by cattle, then later by visitors and residents of the islands when tourism became the reigning industry in the Florida.
After the United States forcibly removed native peoples from the area in the 1800s, the Lighthouse Board requested funds from Congress to establish a light first in 1881. Approval and land disputes delayed construction to 1884, when the foundation of the light was constructed. Tragedy first struck the Sanibel Light when the schooner carrying the original iron skeleton from New Jersey sank merely 2 miles from the intended home. All but two pieces of the skeleton were salvaged by hard hat divers, which was nothing short of a miracle in the late 1800s.
As one of the first lights on the coast of the west side of Florida north of Key West, she is uniquely designed for her namesake as a “Sanibel Class” light and sistered by 13 remaining lights, with 3 sister lights residing on the west coast and panhandle of Florida. Our Sanibel Light is on the National Register of Historic Places and is now under USCG operation. The original flashes were modified around 1933 to the current 10 second grouped flash. The light went unused during World War II, when even dimming the light would have still blinded lookouts at the tower just south of the light watching for enemy vessels. In 1949 the lighthouse was unmanned and the keepers quarters becoming the headquarters for J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Electrified in 1963, the original lens was replaced with a smaller 500mm glass lens. The light has continuously operated as a beacon of our islands since relighting after WW2.
Rumors after Hurricane Ian quickly spread that our enduring island symbol was toppled by the Category 4.9 storm. Alas, she was actually missing a leg. Islanders returned to find all of the surrounding historic buildings washed away by the 14 foot storm surge, only leaving a few bricks as a sign of what endured for over a century before Hurricane Ian. The light was extinguished when the storm blew through, and relit by the USCG on February 28th, 2023, exactly 6 months after our islands were ravaged. Now a symbol of resilience with her “broken” leg, she represents our island community with a battered yet unbroken spirit.
