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Florida Lighthouses

Amelia Island
Northeast Region

Amelia Island

Fernandina Beach
Constructed 1838 – 39 (present site). First lighted: Spring 1839. Listed in National Register.
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At a Glance

Region
Northeast Region
Type
Historic Lighthouse
Latitude
30.67316
Longitude
-81.44252

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Amelia Island Lighthouse & Museum


Photos: Stan Beckstrom

 Active: Yes

Characteristics: Flashes every 10 seconds; has red sector on the southeast.

Height: 64 feet, 69 steps

DayMark: White conical tower with black lantern

History: Constructed 1838 - 39 (present site). First lighted: Spring 1839. Listed in National Register.

Lens: Original:14 revolving Lewis patent lamps with 15-inch reflectors, 1838. Other used: third-order, revolving Frensnel Lens, Henry-LePaute, 1868. Present: third-order revolving Fresnel lens: Barbier & Bernard. 1903. Focal Plane: 107 feet.

Construction: Architect and Builder: Winslow Lewis. Conical brick tower, foundation: brick, construction materials: brick, granite and iron.

Other Buildings: Oil storage house, 1960's ranch-style keeper's dwelling; two car garage.

Coordinates:
     30 40 24 N
     80 26 30 W

Operated by: United States Coast Guard

Visit Status: Lighthouse grounds are open to the public every Saturday between 11am and 2pm.

The City of Fernandina Beach offers tours of the Amelia Island Lighthouse grounds on the first and third Wednesday at 10am.  For reservations click here or (904) 310-3350.

Facilities: None

Contact:
Amelia Island Lighthouse & Museum, Inc.
Chris Belcher
109 South 18th St.
Fernandina, FL  32034

Email:  chris@ameliaislandlighthouse.org
Website: www.AmeliaIslandLighthouse.org

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Overview

Amelia Island Lighthouse overlooks the marshes and waterways near Fernandina Beach. Although the brick tower is only 64 feet tall, its elevated site places the light 107 feet above sea level. The white tower, black lantern, and historic lens form a compact station with an unusually well-traveled past.

History

Winslow Lewis built the tower on Georgia’s Cumberland Island in 1820. When changes in the shipping channel made that location less useful, Congress funded its relocation. Workers dismantled the lighthouse brick by brick, carried it across the St. Marys River, and reconstructed it on Amelia Island in 1838. The light returned to service in 1839 and received a Fresnel lens in the 1850s. It went dark during the Civil War but escaped destruction and was relighted afterward. A new lantern room was installed in 1881, electricity arrived in 1933, and the station was automated in 1970.

Visiting & Access

The lighthouse can be viewed from public streets and from Fort Clinch State Park. The City of Fernandina Beach offers scheduled grounds access and guided visits, but the tower is generally closed. Check the city’s official lighthouse page before traveling because tour dates and access hours can change.

Current Status

The City of Fernandina Beach owns the station. The lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation and continues to display its historic third-order Fresnel lens. Public access is limited to announced tours and open-ground periods.

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