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A beacon to his neighbors on Gwynn’s Island

What is the structure on Gwynn’s Island that looks so much like a lighthouse?

It’s an extraordinary piece of yard art at the home of Loyd White, adjacent to the county ramp and Hole in the Wall restaurant. This is its story.

Retired builder Loyd White always has a project going, and has carried out a lot of changes to his home in the years he has been there.

The 24-foot-tall “lighthouse” sits on the edge of his property and creates a covered entrance to his pier.

White said the structure is a copy of one at the Boathouse Restaurant at Disney World in Orlando, Florida; its profile may look familiar to local residents who have visited there. He said the restaurant is one of his favorite places to eat.He credits master carpenter John Kratzer with the construction. It was built in two pieces in White’s shop and rolled to the waterfront last year. A crane put the top piece on the bottom.

LED lights completed the project, and now the fixed beams coming from the top create a w...

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