Saint Augustine Lighthouse

The historic St. Augustine Lighthouse towers above nearby Anastasia Island. The 165 foot structure began operation in 1874. It is the second lighthouse to occupy the island. The first, a 73 foot brick tower and built slightly to the east, began operation in 1824. The original lighthouse was part of the old Coquina Watchtower built by the Spanish in 1683. When Florida became a United States Territory in 1821, the Territorial Council requested funds to convert the watchtower to a lighthouse. It opened three years later as Florida's first lighthouse.

The lightkeepers home - which now serves as the Maritime Museum.

Nearly three decades and one Civil War later, the original lighthouse was in danger of falling into the Atlantic. In 1871, construction began on the current tower which is constructed of brick and sits on a concrete foundation. By 1880, both the coquina keeper's house and former lighthouse had fallen into the ocean. The lighthouse served as a lookout in three wars, the Spanish-American, World War I, and World War II. The lighthouse has two sisters: Currituck and Bodie Island. Both in North Carolina, they are built of the same design, only the paint schemes are different.

The dizzying staircase of the St. Augustine Lighthouse

Entrance to the lighthouse is $12.95 per adult ($10.95 for seniors and children under 12). Admission includes a self guided tour of the lightkeeper's home and the opportunity to climb to the top of the lighthouse. There are also special ghost and sunset tours available at a higher price.

St. Augustine as seen from the top of the lighthouse

All photos taken by post author - October 19, 2011.

Sources & Links:

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum
St. Augustine Lighthouse ---Lighthousefriends.com

How To Get There:

Comments

When did people begin to refer to the "Ridge Route" as "The Grapevine?" (former US Route 99 and Interstate 5)

The segment of US Route 99 from Los Angeles north to Bakersfield was traditionally known in State Highway documents as the "Ridge Route." Even as the Ridge Route was transitioning from curvy mountain grade to the facility now occupied by Interstate 5nthe name largely persisted in California Highways & Public Works documents. During modern times the name "Ridge Route" has be usurped in popular lexicon in favor to the nickname known as "The Grapevine." This blog will attempt to decipher the origins of "The Grapevine" and how it came into popular use today. Featured as the blog cover photo is a view of Interstate 5 in Grapevine Canyon and former US Route 99 at Deadman's Curve of the Ridge Route. This blog is part of the larger Gribblenation US Route 99 Page. For more information pertaining to the other various segments of US Route 99 and it's three-digit child routes check out the link the below. Gribblenation US Route 99 Page Note:

US Route 101 in Benbow, Garberville and Redway

The communities of Benbow, Garberville and Redway can all be found along US Route 101 within southern Humboldt County. The former surface alignment of US Route 101 in Garberville and Redway once crossed the Garberville Bluffs along what is now Redwood Drive via a corridor constructed as part of the Redwood Highway during the 1910s. US Route 101 through Benbow, Garberville and Redway was modernized by 1935. US Route 101 would eventually be upgraded to freeway standards in Benbow, Garberville and Redway by extension of the Redwood Freeway during 1966-68. As the cover photo the original grade of US Route 101 and the Redwood Highway can be seen at the Garberville Bluffs during 1934. US Route 101 can be seen in the communities of Benbow, Garberville and Redway on the 1935 Division of Highways Map of Humboldt County . The history of US Route 101 in Benbow, Garberville and Redway Benbow, Garberville and Redway lie on the banks of the South Fork Eel River of southern Humboldt County. D

Old Stage Road in Tulare County and Kern County

Old Stage Road is an approximately 30-mile rural highway comprised of Tulare County Mountain Road 1, Kern County Mountain Road 447 and Tulare County Mountain Road 109. Old Stage originates at Jack Ranch Road near Posey and ends at the outskirts of Porterville at Deer Creek. Old Stage Road notably is comprised of two 19th Century stage routes. From White Mountain Road northwest to Fountain Springs, Old Stage Road overlays Thomas Baker's 1860s era stage road to Linn Valley (now Glennville) and the Kern River Gold Rush Claims. From Fountain Springs to Deer Creek, Old Stage Road is comprised of the 1853 Stockton-Los Angeles Road. Featured as the blog cover is the northward descent on Old Stage Road along Arrastre Creek to the town site of White River. What became White River was settled along a spur of the Stockton-Los Angeles Road as "Dog Town" when gold was discovered nearby. By 1856 the community had been renamed Tailholt. A stage road from Tailholt to Linn Valley w

Gribblenation

Search This Blog