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Florida Lighthouses

Cape Canaveral
Southeast Region

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral
Constructed in 1848 and 1868. First Lighted: 1848; May 10,1868; July 25, 1894. In the late 1890’s, it was moved to a site one mile inland because of shoreline erosion.
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At a Glance

Region
Southeast Region
Type
Historic Lighthouse
Latitude
28.46036
Longitude
-80.54341

Cape Canaveral Lighthouse


Photo: Eric S Martin


Photo: Joyce Allen

Active: Yes

Characteristics: 2 flashes in 5 seconds followed by a 15 second eclipse.

Height: 145 feet, 179 steps

DayMark: Conical iron tower with black and white horizontal bands.

History: Constructed in 1848 and 1868. First Lighted: 1848; May 10,1868; July 25, 1894. In the late 1890's, it was moved to a site one mile inland because of shoreline erosion.

Lens: Original: 15-lamps with 23-inch reflectors (1848); first-order Fresnel lens (1868). Present: one DCB-224 roating searchlight. Focal Plane: 155 feet.

Construction: Builders: West Point Foundry (1868 structure) Conical brick tower (1848); conical cast-iron and brick tower (1868) contructed on brick; iron with brick lining.

Other Buildings: Recreations of two keeper’s cottages and Oil storage house.

Coordinates:
     28 27 37 N
     80 32 36 W

Operated by: United States Air Force

Facilities: Museum, gift store and bathroom facilities.

Visitor Info: Take a tour of the Lighthouse and AF Station via Canaveral Tours, information about available tours can be found on the Lighthouse Foundation website, www.CanaveralLight.org.

Open house is available for personnel with current badging for CCAFS on Wednesdays between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

Requirements: Reservations are required in advance (Canaveral Tours takes care of getting proper clearance), Foreign visitors are welcome with minimum of 4 days advance reservation.

Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Video Sonny Witt, Cape Canaveral historian and author, takes us to the top of the lighthouse, surrounded by rocket launch pads and cruise ships, the Cape Canaveral Lighthouses has shined for over 150 years. Click here to view video>

Contact:
United States Air Force
Public Affairs
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral, FL  32920

Email: George.H.Diller@nasa.gov
Website:  www.CanaveralLight.org

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Overview

Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is a tall, tapered iron tower with an interior brick lining. Its black-and-white horizontal bands are visible across the coastal landscape of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where the lighthouse continues to serve as an aid to navigation.

History

The first Cape Canaveral tower was completed in 1848 but proved too short for the low, flat coastline. A much taller iron lighthouse was placed in service in 1868 with a first-order Fresnel lens. Coastal erosion soon threatened the station, so workers dismantled the upper iron sections and rebuilt the tower about a mile inland in 1893-1894. The light was electrified in 1931 and automated in 1967. Its first-order lens was removed in 1993 and is now displayed at Ponce Inlet, while a modern beacon continues to operate from the tower.

Visiting & Access

Because the lighthouse is inside Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, access is available only through approved, prearranged tours. Registration and security requirements apply, and tours may change with launch operations. Visitors should consult the official Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation site before planning a trip.

Current Status

The lighthouse remains active and is cared for through a partnership involving the U.S. Space Force, the Coast Guard, and the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation. The tower and nearby historic structures are accessible only during authorized tours.

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