In the early 19th century, while Florida remained under Spanish rule and Georgia claimed the southernmost position on the Atlantic coast, a lighthouse was erected on Cumberland Island with a clear purpose: to guide ships safely into the St. Mary’s River and along the treacherous Atlantic Coast. And… safety was a major concern since just across the border, the den of debauchery known as Amelia Island, was a wild frontier teeming with smugglers, pirates, and other ne’er do well’s.

So, in 1821, the United States asserted its dominance in the region and Spain officially ceded Florida, ushering in a new era of governance and stability. However, changes in the channel made the Cumberland Island Lighthouse ineffective, its light obscured from view when entering the St. Mary’s River. Something had to be done.

In response, Congress allocated $7,500 in 1838 to dismantle the Cumberland Island Lighthouse brick by brick. The structure was then carefully transported across the river and reconstructed on the northern end of Amelia Island, where it proudly stands to this day. Equipped with fourteen oil lamps, backed by reflectors that spun to produce a distinctive flashing pattern, the lighthouse resumed its duty of guiding seafarers to safety.

The turmoil of the Civil War briefly dimmed the lighthouse’s guiding light in 1861. Yet, despite the conflict that raged around it, the tower emerged relatively unscathed and quickly returned to service. Each day, the head keeper ascended the sixty-nine granite steps, oil buckets in hand, to tend to the light that guided ships through the darkness.

In 1903, a technological advancement transformed the lighthouse once again, as the original oil lamps were replaced with a third-order Fresnel lens, a marvel of engineering that remains operational to this day. With the arrival of electricity in the 1930s, the station embraced automation, and the Coast Guard assumed responsibility for its upkeep.

Over the decades, this beautiful old lighthouse has witnessed the evolution of maritime technology with everything from the graceful sails of old ships to modern freighters and fishing boats and through it all, continues to shine, guiding seafarers into the channel toward Fernandina Harbor.

In 1970, the retirement of the final keeper marked the end of an era, closing a chapter in the lighthouse’s long and illustrious history. Today, as visitors marvel at its long presence on our coast, the Amelia Island Lighthouse stands as a testament to Florida’s maritime heritage and the timeless allure of the sea.

Tours

Tours of the lighthouse are held the first and third Wednesdays of each month and can be arranged by calling or visiting the Atlantic Recreation Center (904-310-3350 – 2500 Atlantic Avenue).

Fees

$10 per adult
$5 per child ages 12 and under
Minimum participation of 5 people
Maximum participation of 22 people

Special Notes: The tour does not allow for patrons to climb the stairs inside the lighthouse. 

Viewing the Property

The Amelia Island Lighthouse property, located at 215 O’Hagan Lane (accessible from North Wolff Street), is open to the public for viewing on Saturdays from 11am – 2pm.  Please note that only the grounds around the Lighthouse are accessible on Saturdays.  For access inside the Lighthouse, please register for a tour.