researched by Lynn Drake

Lynn Drake, who is a local genealogist and researcher, investigated and uncovered a few facts about James Arango Armour:

James Arango Armour became an assistant lighthouse keeper in 1866, and was made the head lighthouse keeper in 1869.

He had retired from his duties as head lighthouse keeper in 1908, hence, giving 43 years of service at the lighthouse as head lighthouse keeper.

In the "Soldiers of Florida in the …Civil War…" (Florida Roster, which was published in 1903 by Board of State Institutions, James Arango Armour was the Sheriff of Brevard County, Florida from 1855 until 1857. 

According to the "Biographical Rosters of Florida's Soldiers 1861-1865" (FLBioRost) published in 1995 by Broadfoot, James Arango Armour enlisted in the Confederate Army as a Private on 12 June 1862 in Camp Ward, FL in Company G, 8th Infantry Regiment Florida and deserted on 25 July 1862. 

In Jim Snyder's book, "A Light in the Wilderness" gives a detailed story and explains why Armour switched sides during the War Between the States.

In "The History of Jupiter Lighthouse" by Bessie DuBois, 1960: we learned that during the Civil War a young man, James Arango Armour, served as a volunteer coastal pilot aboard the Federal Patrol Boat "Sagamore". He had come to the Indian River in the 1850s and knew the intricate waterways of this section well. He was a native of New Amsterdam, New York, where he was born on September 05, 1825. In his early youth he had served aboard the American clipper ships. His services as a guide and pilot aboard the Sagamore were of great value to Capt. Earl English and to other captains under whom he had served. James Arango Armour received letters of commendation from Capt. English and also Admiral Theodorus Bailey for services rendered in navigating the narrow waterways and inlets of this area.

When the lighthouse was darkened by southern sympathizers, the important and necessary parts of the light mechanism were carried away and hidden; Capt. Armour was detailed to locate them. He uncovered them in a palmetto hammock and carried them in a small boat to Key West. While at Key West he was made keeper of the Prize ships - those captured during war action.

He was present in 1866 as the Assistant Lighthouse Keeper of Jupiter Lighthouse at the relighting in June after the Civil War. He was Assistant Keeper from 10 July 1866 until 16 December 1869 when he was made the Head Keeper, a position he held for over 40 years.

He died on July 06, 1910 in Jupiter and was buried in the family lot at Jupiter Cemetery on what is now County Line Road. The only way to get there was by water, so the funeral procession was by boat to the cemetery. Once the boats landed, the casket had to be removed and carried through the soft sugar sand about 1/2 mile NE. The site was marked many years later.