Florida may have become a state in 1821, but settlers of this territory were here long before it was a state. In 1513, Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer discovered the territory and named it La Florida, which means “Land of Flowers.” A few years later in 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles was sent to the area to establish a colony. Arriving on August 28, which was known as the Feast Day of St. Augustine, the colony was named St. Augustine to honor the day in which the colony arrived safely across the Atlantic.
Just before the annexation of Florida into the United States, it was realized that St. Augustine would be the major port in the new territory. Congress wanted to establish a navigational aid their quickly, and sent John Rodman, a local customs collector in search of a location for the navigational marker. A three-story structure was found enclosed in a small compound, believed to be built by the Spanish as a navigational marker, and an inspection team was dispatched to determine if the structure could still be used. Plans were made to refurbish the now crumbling tower and the latest lamps and lens were ordered to be used there. However, after careful inspection, it was realized that the forty-foot tall structure as a lighthouse.
In 1824, a seventy-three foot tower was constructed just to the southwest of the Old Spanish tower. Oil lamps illuminated this tower, fitted with a fourth-order Fresnel lens. Its light, broad cast by bowl-shaped reflectors limited its ability to serve as a major navigational aid, yet adequately marked the harbor entrance at St. Augustine. The lighthouse continued to serve as a navigational marker until the outbreak of the Civil War. The tower was
To visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse, take I-95 to exit 318 and travel east on Hwy. 16. Turn right onto Hwy.1 and then make a left on King Street (becomes A1A after crossing the Bridge of Lions). Then make a left on Red Cox Road and the lighthouse will be located on the left.
Directions:
Two identical privy's were also constructed with the light station. Only one remains intact today.
This fog bell also sits in the lawn in front of the keeper's quarters.
The original summer kitchens were located in the grassy area to the left and right of the benches in these photos. They were replaced by the ones pictured above.
These summer kitchens were added in 1883. Since the keeper's quarters was a duplex housing two families, the summer kitchens were also constructed identical to each other.
The keeper's quarters, built and run as a duplex, is identical on both sides.
This sign sits in front of the keeper's quarters, leading visitors into the light station.
darkened by Confederate Soldiers to prevent Union forces from using it in their struggle with the south. Once the war was over, the lighthouse was relit, yet the encroaching ocean threatened the tower.
The Lighthouse Board went to work to establish a new tower about a half-mile away on Anastasia Island. Construction began in 1872, but work quickly ceased due to lack of funding. After a short delay and funding flowing again, the tower took just two years to complete. Competed in 1874, the tower stood an impressive 165 feet in height. Fitted with a first order Fresnel lens, the lighthouse was visible up to nineteen nautical miles at sea. Painted like a barber pole with black and white stripes and capped off with a red lantern, the lighthouse was an impressive day mark as well.
Throughout the remainder of the nineteenth century and well into the twentieth century, the lighthouse continued to be an effective navigational aid. In 1936, the lighthouse was electrified and in 1955, the lighthouse was automated. By 1994, the lighthouse tower and keepers dwellings were completely restored and open to the public.
Today, visitors are welcome to walk the grounds, tour the keeper’s quarters, and climb the 214 steps of the lighthouse. Still an active aid to navigation, the lantern room remains off limits. For information about visiting the lighthouse, visit the official web site of the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
