Name and Location

The Saint Augustine Lighthouse is located at 81 Lighthouse Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida, USA (29°53'15" N, -81°17'22" W).

Construction and History

The Saint Augustine Lighthouse was built in 1874 to replace an earlier lighthouse that stood on the same site from 1825. The new lighthouse was constructed using limestone and coquina, a type of shell stone, at a cost of $56,000. It has been guiding mariners since 1874.

Architecture and Materials

The Saint Augustine Lighthouse's architecture is a blend of Gothic Revival and Italianate styles, featuring a tower with a distinctive octagonal shape. The structure is topped with a lantern room, which houses the light source. The original keeper's dwelling has been replaced by a more modern one built in 1969.

Light and Navigation

The Saint Augustine Lighthouse exhibits a characteristic of Fl(3)W.15s, meaning it displays a flashing white light every 15 seconds, with a range of 23 kilometers (14 miles).

Accessibility and Visiting

Although the lighthouse is still operational for navigation purposes, it has been converted into a museum and educational center. Visitors can explore the tower and climb to the top for stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas Bay. The adjacent keeper's dwelling now serves as a gift shop and exhibit space.

Notable Views and Landscape

Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas Bay from the top of the lighthouse tower.

Anecdotes and Folklore

• The Saint Augustine Lighthouse has played a significant role in maritime history, with several notable events recorded throughout its history. One such event is the rescue of the USS Maine crew during World War II.
• According to local folklore, the lighthouse has also been said to be haunted by the ghost of former keeper Peter Rasmussen.

Technical and Operational Details

The Saint Augustine Lighthouse's light source has undergone changes over the years, with the original first-order Fresnel lens being replaced with a third-order lens in 1894.

Further Information

For more information, please refer to United States Lighthouse Society, Saint Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), and Wikipedia: St. Augustine Light.