The first lighthouse was built in 1825 and located about 1/2 mile from the one shown above. The 1825 lighthouse was the first one built by the U.S. on the Florida coast. Its light was provided by a series of lamps and reflectors. After the Civil War, a first-order Fresnel lens was installed.
In 1858 the lighthouse pictured was built to a height of 191-feet above sea level, after the old one proved to be inadequate for coastal navigation. The beacon from its first-order Fresnel lens has a range of 27-miles out to sea. In 1869 the new keeper's dwelling was built, and the day-mark of the tower changed. The lighthouse was electrified in late 1930's. In 1939 responsibility for the tower was transferred from the Light Service to the Coast Guard, and after the light was automated in 1965 it was no longer manned.
At the time of my visit here in 2000, the first-order Fresnel lens was still operating as an active light. The keeper's dwelling was leased to the Pensacola Lighthouse Association and served as the museum.
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