The Stakeline

Post by **Aucilla** » January 12th, 2005, 9:36 am

Out in the fog Sunday, I came upon a "telephone pole" out in the Gulf, off St. Marks lighthouse.

Now, I am still learning, a "late bloomer" or just catchin' up on lost time. But I thought the stakeline was made up of stakes, and that most of them were gone, that marked the boundry or former boundry of the preserve. Out with dbplug one time, I thought I saw one

But this thing was not a stake at all. It was big. But it was in the area, it seemed, where the stakeline shoulda been.

What was it?

Thanks.

Post by **Tom Keels** » January 12th, 2005, 9:41 am

Actual stakes like you are thinking of (tomato, lot markers) wouldn't last very long. The "stakes" are just what you saw, sunken telephone poles. Yes most of them are gone. There are 4 between the Aucilla and St. Marks and I think 3-4 more over towards shell point.

Post by **Aucilla** » January 12th, 2005, 10:04 am

Thanks Tom!

Post by **Jumptrout51** » January 13th, 2005, 5:10 pm

Sorry Tom, only 3 now. The old #9 pole is gone since the last hurricane.

Post by **Fisherman989** » January 13th, 2005, 5:58 pm

Did they have telephone service between Aucilla and St Marks light at one time????
Anyone have any idea why those poles were ever there? I've seen them all my life.... and that's a long time....and they are getting to be a precious few.

Post by **dbplug** » January 13th, 2005, 7:00 pm

Aucilla, do not go south of the stake line in the 13'er.

Post by **mjsigns** » January 13th, 2005, 8:43 pm

Phone lines? I don't think so....

I think the stake line was originally intended as a navigational aide that marked off the rock garden and shallows for commercial navigation (barges).

Post by **tin can** » January 13th, 2005, 11:15 pm

The stake line is the south boundary of the St. Marks National Wildlife refuge.

Post by **Jumptrout51** » January 14th, 2005, 4:57 pm

It takes someone as old as TC to know that.
However, he is right this time.