Year first constructed 1838 Foundation stone basement Opened 1839 | Automated 1956 Height 20 m Phone +1 904-277-7300 | |
 | ||
Location northern end ofAmelia Islandmarking the St. Marys EntranceFernandina BeachFloridaUnited States Tower shape tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern Hours Closed today TuesdayClosedWednesdayClosedThursdayClosedFridayClosedSaturday11AM–2PMSundayClosedMondayClosed Similar Amelia Island, Cape Canaveral Light, Anclote Keys Light, Cedar Key Light, Cape San Blas Light | ||
Amelia island lighthouse from a drones eye 4 5 16
The Amelia Island Light is the oldest existing lighthouse in the state of Florida in the United States. It is located near the northern end of Amelia Island in the northeastern part of the state. Its light marks St. Marys Entrance, the inlet leading to St. Marys River, the Cumberland Sound and the harbor of Fernandina Beach, Florida along the Amelia River. The white light flashes every ten seconds which turns red from 344° to 360° when covering the shoal water in the vicinity of Nassau Sound.
Contents
- Amelia island lighthouse from a drones eye 4 5 16
- Amelia island lighthouse fernandia beach florida
- History
- Management
- Keepers
- References
The lighthouse is listed as number 565 in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) light list.
Amelia island lighthouse fernandia beach florida
History
The lighthouse was built in 1838 using materials taken from the former Little Cumberland Island Light on Cumberland Island in Georgia just north of the inlet, which was built in 1820. The brick tower was originally 50 feet (15 m) tall placed on a hill. In 1881, a lantern was installed on the tower increasing the tower height to 64 feet (20 m) with the focal plane height of 107 feet (33 m) above sea level.
The tower was originally equipped with 14 lamps each with a 14-inch (360 mm) reflector when first lit in 1839. The reflector size was increased to 15 inches (380 mm) by 1848. This arrangement was replaced by a third-order Barbier Benard Fresnel lens in 1903, which is still used in the lighthouse.
The Amelia Island Lighthouse was automated in 1956. The next-to-last civilian keeper of the lighthouse was Thomas J. O'Hagan, who was the son of the previous keeper, Thomas P. O'Hagan, and was married to a direct descendant of the first keeper, Amos Latham.
Management
The ownership of the lighthouse was transferred from the United States Coast Guard to the City of Fernandina Beach in 2001, which now maintains the historical monument. The Coast Guard, though, is still responsible for the function of the beacon. Access to the lighthouse is limited by the city. As of 2015, the lighthouse is not open to the public, except on Saturdays when the grounds are open for viewing for three hours only. The city also offers tours to the lighthouse twice a month.