 Travelogue
St. Augustine, Florida
The Oldest City in the USA
St. Augustine Lighthouse
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 The
entrance to the Lighthouse Station of the St. Augustine. The grounds include the
lighthouse, oil house, keeper's quarters, and museum store. The lighthouse is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There has been a lighthouse
or beacon on this site since 1824.One can contribute to this worthwhile effort
by contacting the Services League of St. Augustine at the lighthouse's
website at http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com/
 The
current lighthouse was restored and is currently maintained in a collaborative
effort by the Junior Service League of St. Augustine, the US Coast Guard,
Florida Inland Navigation District, State of Florida Department of Historic
Preservation and the St. Augustine Waterway and Beach District.
On walking out the Museum Store one encounters a magnificent view of the 165
foot high tower through the oak trees on the Light Station's grounds.
 Beginning
in 1586, there was always some sort of beacon or watch tower erected to watch
over the treacherous waters along the "crazy banks" and shifting
sandbars along the St. Augustine inlet, off the Atlantic Ocean.
 Prior
to the building of a coquina stone lighthouse
in 1824 on the site of the current lighthouse, there were 272
documented shipwrecks along the St. Augustine coast. The current lighthouse was
built from 1871-1874.
 This
building built in 1876, is now the museum on the grounds. It was known as the
Keepers' House. At one point it housed 15 residents. Maritime
artifacts are kept in the museum at this time.
 At
the foot of the lighthouse is the Oil Storage House as well as the Keeper's
office. The Lard oil was toted to the top of the tower to keep the light
burning. A task requiring Herculean strength given the weight of the oil and the
219 steps to the top!
 In
the front of the lighthouse is a brick path which has the names of those who are
remembered in the donations for the restoration of the facility.
One c an get woozy just looking up from the ground to the top of the lighthouse.
Somehow it is hard to imagine that the Keepers were so agile in making the jaunt
to the top to keep the light burning. On either side of the tower are the chimneys
of the Oil Storage House.
 The
Capstone on the entrance to the Lighthouse signifying the year the construction
of the lighthouse was initiated. It was completed in 1874.
One la st look up prior to entering the building. Wow! That sure does seem
high! The light in this lighthouse is automatically controlled and driven.
The light is housed within a Fresnel
lens. Click here for an inside view of the Fresnel
lens.  A
view up the cast iron stairway
which is the original 219 stairs of the tower.
There are four short stepping off places on the way up. It is hard to imagine a
keeper lifting the heavy cans of oil up this steep incline. Click here for
another view of the cast
iron stairway.
 A
view to the South East from the top of the lighthouse, looking over the
intercoastal waters and the Atlantic ocean in the distance. Click here for virtual
tour of the scene east of the light house.
 A
view to the North East from the top, looking over the intercoastal waters and
the A1A Bridge from St. Augustine to Vilano Beach. Click here for a virtual
view of the scene north of the lighthouse.
 A
view to the South West overlooking the intercoastal waters and the Matanzas
River with its build up of marine industry. Click here for a view of the ground
below the tower.
 A
view of the St. Augustine Light Station from the road as we leave this fantastic
historic treasure. Click here to see a wonderful painting of this scene by Roger
Bansemer who has published a Book
of Florida Lighthouses as well has prints available of his paintings. Click
here for Bansemer's own description
of the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
 The
restorations of the lighthouse and Keepers' House/Museum are an ever going
process. Click here for close-up
of light at night. Click here for a close-up look of the light by Roger
Bansemer.
A view of the light station from across the street in the park on the
intercoastal waterway. Click here for a view
of the tower from a plane.
A view of the lighthouse from A1A about a mile down the road from the light
station. Click here for a view of the tower
at sunset.  In
the distance you can see the lighthouse. This shot was taken on Anastasia State
Park Beach on the Atlantic Ocean about four miles away from the light station.
Click here for a view of the tower
at night.
Lighthouse Links:
To continue your journey in St. Augustine click on:
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