St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum

It's been 440 years and counting since St. Augustine became America's first permanent European settlement. Just stepping onto St. George Street you feel the hands of time swing back hundreds of years from when Ponce de Leon searched for the Fountain of Youth and Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles named the city. The town traded hands numerous times between Native Americans, French, Spanish, the United States and the Confederacy. Still to this day you'll find decedents of early explorers and eager tourists sharing rides in horse-drawn carriages traveling the cobblestone streets in the Old Spanish Quarter.

No trip to America's First City is complete without visiting the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum. The distinctive black and white barber pole striped lighthouse is 165 feet tall with 219 steps leading to the observation deck. Don't worry; no elevator but it's an easy climb with a wide staircase, several platforms and even a bench at the halfway-mark to take a break. As you climb near the top of the tower, look down and you'll get a great view of the spiraling wrought iron staircase.

An unbelievable view from the top lets you look east across Anastasia Island State Park to the Atlantic and north to Castillo de San Marcos fort and the Old Spanish Quarter.

Please note the observation deck is closed during times of bad weather and children must be at least 44" (3 feet 8 inches) tall to climb the lighthouse.

Lighthouse History

In 1824, an old Spanish watchtower in St. Augustine became Florida's first lighthouse. The structure survived until 1871 when construction began on the current lighthouse. It took 3 years to complete and on October 15, 1874, the lightkeeper lit the new Fresnel lens for the first time. The original lamp used pig fat as fuel, changing to kerosene in 1885. Electricity took over in 1936 and in 1955 the lighthouse became automated. The lighthouse still serves today as a navigational aid maintained by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. The 30-second rotational fixed light can be seen for approximately 20 miles.

The lighthouse is open daily 9AM to 6PM. Closed December 24/25 for Christmas holidays. A modern visitor center complete with museum is across from the lighthouse. The museum holds several examples of Fresnel lenses (the lens that makes the light so bright), furniture, sea-going memorabilia and other items from the 1800s and early 1900s.

Address and Directions

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum
81 Lighthouse Ave
St. Augustine FL 32080
904.829.0745

From I-95 take Exit 318 east for 5 miles. Turn right onto U.S. 1 and proceed south for 2 miles.

Turn left onto King Street and continue over the Bridge of Lions, which now becomes Anastasia Blvd (A1A).

Go 1.5 miles and turn left onto Red Cox Road (across from the Alligator Farm). Go two blocks north. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is on the left side of the road.

Your own "lighthouse" in St. Augustine

My name is Janet Carey and I want to thank you for visiting my web site. I am a real estate agent and fourth generation Floridian. I specialize in the St. Augustine Florida area including Elkton, Hastings and the surrounding beaches of Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach, Treasure Beach and Crescent Beach. If you would like to learn more about living in America's First City, please give me a call at 813.528.3331 or email Janet Carey.

References

Historical information from St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum

This way for more fun in St. Augustine