The Lighthouse Point Marina KEEPS ON SHINING

It is just exactly what you would expect it to be.

For anyone who travels the intracoastal or the Florida coastline, there is always an expectation about what the night's stay along the way will bring. The Lighthouse Point Marina is just exactly what you would expect it to be. The moment you pull up to the expansive fuel dock and are greeted with a friendly smile, you know that this is a welcoming place for boaters.

It is one of those places that always has a relaxed smile about it. A first class facility, extremely well maintained and manicured (one of Florida's first marinas to receive the DEP's "Clean Marina" designation), with many beautiful yachts in the slips. Yet a place where flip-flops and T-shirts are more than acceptable attire and Friday evenings will always find a few beers being lifted along the docks.

It is probably just the kind of marina that Don and Mary Speiker envisioned when they moved from Wisconsin in the early 60s. They actually met in Fort Lauderdale while Mary was in college and Don, an experienced marina manager, was doing freelance work on boats during the winter. They returned to Wisconsin, were married in September of 1963, then headed back to make South Florida their permanent home.

For the next three years Don worked at Lauderdale Marina under the guidance of the legendary Bob Cox who was considered one of the finest marina operators in the country and long-time mayor of Fort Lauderdale. In the meantime, Don was searching for just the right business that would give him and Mary a chance to settle down and begin a family. Their dream came true in April of 1966 as they purchased the small, sleepy Lighthouse Point Marina from Martha Moore.
It was just the beginning.

The growth and transformation of this eleven boat marina began from the first day. Don, the "Hull Thumper," was determined to put his new property on the map and he had no intention of waiting for the customer to come to him. As he roamed the canals in his 17' Whaler he would thump on the hull of a boat to get the owner's attention. Don would let them know about the services and the Phillips 66 fuel that was available at his marina.

In just three years the marina grew from 11 boats to an amazing 110. Don purchased more of the surrounding land and began an ambitious dredging project to expand the marina to accommodate a growing demand for slips. The marina was operating in full swing with an extensive service facility.

At the same time, the family began to grow along with the marina. Daughters Debbie in 1966 and Maureen in 1967, followed by son Christian in 1977. Don and Mary were not only building a family, but as it had turned out, they were also building a marina staff.

For Don it really was a dream come true. The Lighthouse Point Marina had become a local landmark and gathering place for the boating community. The Speaker family had become well known for their many community and charitable projects. Don was even one of the early members of the Fishing Rodeo Committee.

Then in 1985, a major boat fire at the fuel dock changed everything overnight. For many it might have been the end of the story but not for Don Speiker. The marina closed very briefly and before long Don was rebuilding--bigger and better than ever. He was actively involved in every phase of design and construction. Today's beautiful dockmaster building is such a creative design that it requires no air conditioning. Over the years the upland area surrounding the marina was rebuilt with a new marina office, shower facilities, a popular restaurant and additional office space.

By the time of Don's retirement in 1997, the marina had become tremendously successful and had that special friendly ambiance that he had hoped to achieve.
But the story has not ended.

The marina is still in the family today, owned and operated by Debbie, Maureen and Christian. It was the vision of this next generation of Speikers that oversaw the development of 21 beautiful town homes into Tillitson Square and even further development and upgrading of the marina facilities.

Don passed away in 2001 but it is a sure bet that he would be extremely proud of the legacy he left behind--the way all three of his children have carried on and expanded upon his vision that makes this marina such a welcoming site for boaters. Stop by anytime you're in need of a friendly smile or want to share a cold beer with friends.

The Rodeo Committee is very proud to salute the Speiker family and their contribution to our local waterfront. How lucky we are in this age of rapid fire change to still have family run businesses here like the Merritts of Merrit Boat and Engine Works, the Halls/Danas of the Helen S and the Speikers of Lighthouse Point Marina.