Historic Horizons

Throughout the Second World War over 15,000 watchtowers were constructed along both coasts of the United States, staffed by civilian lookouts dedicated to informing the Coast Guard of any and all suspicious aquatic and air activity. This watchtower in Ormond-By-The-Sea, FL is one of the few remaining, preserved as a formal tribute to those who served. More than 180 U.S. vessels were sunk off the coast by German U-Boats throughout the war, and on two occasions U-Boats successfully deposited teams of Nazi spies onto the mainland under Operation Pastorius - one on Long Island, less than 100 miles from Manhattan, and one in Ponte Vedra Beach, less than 100 miles from this very tower. A Saharan...View all