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The Stakeline

Posted: January 12th, 2005, 9:36 am
by Aucilla
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.

Posted: January 12th, 2005, 9:41 am
by Tom Keels
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.

Posted: January 12th, 2005, 10:04 am
by Aucilla
Thanks Tom!

Posted: January 13th, 2005, 5:10 pm
by Jumptrout51
Sorry Tom, only 3 now. The old #9 pole is gone since the last hurricane.

Posted: January 13th, 2005, 5:58 pm
by Fisherman989
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. :D

Posted: January 13th, 2005, 7:00 pm
by dbplug
Aucilla, do not go south of the stake line in the 13'er.

Posted: January 13th, 2005, 8:43 pm
by mjsigns
Phone lines? I don't think so....:-D I think the stake line was originally intended as a navigational aide that marked off the rock garden and shallows for commercial navigation (barges).

Posted: January 13th, 2005, 11:15 pm
by tin can
The stake line is the south boundary of the St. Marks National Wildlife refuge.

Posted: January 14th, 2005, 4:57 pm
by Jumptrout51
It takes someone as old as TC to know that.
However, he is right this time.