Lighthouse History Archives - Page 3 of 6

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum celebrates the 145th Anniversary of the Historic Tower

amy.gress2019-10-10T09:53:16-04:00October 10th, 2019|

St. Johns County residents receive free admission on October 15 with code JSL The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum celebrates 145 years of maritime history in the current historic, lighthouse tower. The second lighthouse at St. Augustine was built from 1871 to 1874 and topped by the first-order Fresnel lens from Paris, France. The first lighting was by Keeper William Russell on October 15, 1874. “The tower stands testament to a maritime heritage that [...]

PHOTOS: Anastasia Island historic photographs

PHOTOS: Anastasia Island historic photographs

amy.gress2019-08-16T14:41:54-04:00August 16th, 2019|

Historic photographs on Anastasia Island from the late-19th through the late-20th centuries.

PHOTOS: World War II U.S. Coast Guard photos in St. Augustine, Florida

amy.gress2019-08-15T14:09:16-04:00August 15th, 2019|

View historic photos of St. Augustine when it was a US Coast Guard station during World War II (1941-1945).

229th US Coast Guard Birthday celebrated Aug. 4, 2019

229th US Coast Guard Birthday celebrated Aug. 4, 2019

amy.gress2019-08-02T12:44:09-04:00August 2nd, 2019|

Established on August 4, 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard has kept the nation’s waterways safe, playing a critical role in national security. Every year, August 4 is celebrated as the U.S. Coast Guard Birthday, commemorating the military organization for its valor and discipline. Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, founded the Revenue Marine — which later became the U.S. Coast Guard. A US Coast Guard retired fog bell in front of the 1876 [...]

New Florida License Plate features artist rendering of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse – available Aug. 9

amy.gress2019-07-23T12:40:55-04:00July 23rd, 2019|

This new Florida license plate depicting the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse will be available starting Aug. 8, 2019 at VisitOurLights.org or your local tag office. Funds raised go to the Florida Lighthouse Association, which aids in preservation and restoration of Florida’s 29 remaining historic lighthouses. Revenues assist in the saving and restoration of Florida’s beloved beacons JUPITER, FL – Images of Jupiter’s beloved, iconic Light are everywhere, and now a very special one is coming to [...]

NEW Keeper Tours & Nation’s Oldest Port® Demos at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum!

amy.gress2019-03-28T15:46:12-04:00March 28th, 2019|

Guests to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum can now learn even more about the maritime history of our area. New Nation’s Oldest Port® Demos reveal stories about daily life of a St. Augustine Lighthouse Keeper, how sailors navigated the seas before GPS, and how our Lighthouse Archaeologists discover artifacts underwater on shipwrecks – along with other maritime topics during these interactive and fun experiences. St. Augustine Lighthouse Keeper Jason Smith stands on the [...]

Lighthouse Keeper Series: Francis Philip Fatio Dunham

Lighthouse Keeper Series: Francis Philip Fatio Dunham

amy.gress2019-03-18T14:54:12-04:00March 18th, 2019|

By Jay Smith On June 26, 1916, readers of the St. Augustine Evening Record read an entertaining interview with 68 year old Oregon Dunham offering “very interesting reminiscences” from a man “whose remarkable memory…retained so much of what happened in the earlier days.” Dunham recalled significant events in the Oldest City, including the Civil War and some of the local folklore. “Oregon” was a nickname for Francis Philip Fatio Dunham. His mother, Mary, was [...]

Keeper William Russell: From Old Spanish Watchtower to St. Augustine Lighthouse

Keeper William Russell: From Old Spanish Watchtower to St. Augustine Lighthouse

amy.gress2019-01-31T12:10:42-05:00January 31st, 2019|

By Jay Smith “Where’s the elevator in this thing?” A young woman who couldn’t be more than 30 asks me as I stand at the top of the tower welcoming her to the observation gallery. You might be amazed at how often that question gets raised during a normal day. Granted, I have gained a new appreciation for Paul Pelz for having the forethought to add landings to his design for our Lighthouse! What we [...]

Ghost Tour Experience: ‘Each floor held new secrets about the history of the Keepers’ House.’

amy.gress2018-11-08T09:29:04-05:00November 8th, 2018|

The St. Augustine Lighthouse shown on October 31, 2018 during a Dark of the Moon Ghost Tour. Photo by Jayda Barnes By Jayda Barnes, Flagler College student The first thing I noticed about the Dark of the Moon Tour was that it was, indeed, very dark. The chill in the air may have been due to the setting sun or the spookiness of Halloween night. The Museum grounds, usually bright with sunlight, faded into the [...]

Discoveries at the Barracks

Discoveries at the Barracks

amy.gress2018-03-21T16:11:54-04:00March 21st, 2018|

The World War II-era United States Coast Guard (USCG) structure on site is currently being restored after serving as office space for many years at the Museum. The structure was constructed after the US entered into World War II. Before December 1941, the US military was in various stages of mobilization that included increasing military personnel, munitions and equipment. The official telegram that head keeper Daniels received, which initiated a military mobilization plan that [...]

Lighthouse History

We are open 9:00 am - 6:30 pm daily. Last admission at 6:00 pm. Free Parking.