The current lighthouse in St. Augustine, replaced the old tower. Construction on the current tower began in 1871. Designed by Paul Pelz, who also designed the Library of Congress, the lighthouse was built out of Alabama brick, Georgia granite and Philadelphia iron with an attached oil house. It took three years to complete. On October 15, 1874, the lightkeeper lit the new first order Fresnel lens for the first time.

In 1955, the lighthouse became automated and the last lightkeeper retired. Lamplighters were then employed to take care of the lens. Lamplighters did not live at the light station. They came twice a day to check on the light, clean the lens, and make sure everything was working correctly. In 1989, the last lamplighter in St. Augustine, Mr. Henry "Hank" Mears, retired. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary now maintains the light once a week.

The lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation under the US Coast Guard.

219 stairs to the top.

Gina, climbs the stairs.

The eastern view of the beach from the top.

Northeastern view.

Southeastern view.

City view.

Can't decide which one I like better.

Gina and Bonnie on the top.

The Fresnel lens.

Going down.

Like this little story: "In the late 1930's 'Cracker' Daniels, the son of C.D. Daniels, tried an interesting experiment. he designed a parachute and made it from an old sheet. His little sister Wilma had a cat named Smoky that 'Cracker' thought would make an ideal subject for his parachute test. He attached the parachute to Smoky and carried him to the top of the lighthouse. The parachute worked perfectly, but Smoky did not appreciate the ride. He disappeared into the woods and was not seen again for a month!

Please do not throw anything from the top of the tower. Smoky would thank you.