Georgia Beauty - St. Simons Island Lighthouse

Plans for a lighthouse on St. Simons Island started in 1804 with the purchase of four acres of land by the Federal government at a cost of $1. The land was the site for building the first lighthouse and a one-story residence. Originally, that 1810 lighthouse was to be built of hard brick; however, for economic purposes, most of the material used in the construction was "tabby," a mixture of oyster shell, lime, sand, and water. The tower was built to a height of 75-feet, exclusive of the lantern. An iron lantern, 10-feet high and 8-feet in diameter, was installed on top of the tower making that tower a total height of 85-feet. During the Civil War, the lighthouse was blown up by Confederate forces in 1862 to prevent its use by Federal troops.

In 1872 a second lighthouse was constructed. Pictured above. The lantern room houses the original third-order Fresnel lens from the first lighthouse. Its light shines 18 miles out to sea. This 104-foot tower has a cast-iron spiral staircase consisting of 129-steps. The adjacent keeper's dwelling was constructed in a unique Victorian design. This lighthouse is located at 101 12th Street on the Island of St. Simons, GA.

The lighthouse was placed under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939. The light was automated in 1953 and shortly thereafter the last lighthouse keeper retired.

At the time of my visit here in 2000, the keeper's dwelling was owned by Glynn County, and all structures were maintained and operated by the Coastal GA Historical Society. The lighthouse continued under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard. It was open to the public and a fee charged for entry.

Florida Beauty - St. Augustine Lighthouse

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is located on Anastasia Island, FL. The first lighthouse was built nearby using the Spanish-built tower of 1824. It was converted to a harbor light by making alterations to the structure and removing about twenty-feet of the old tower. The local contractor, Elias Wallen, created thicker walls strong enough to support a soapstone deck and iron lantern.

By the 1840's, mariners began complaining the harbor light was to weak, and it was decided to elevate it. Ten feet was added to the tower, and in 1852 another twelve feet added. However, even the extra height wasn't enough for the mariners to differentiate between the lighthouse beacon and the lights of the nearby city. In 1854 a larger lantern and a fourth-order Fresnel lens were added. By the 1860's, erosion around the base of the lighthouse was of great concern. So, in 1872 the Lighthouse Board funded a new station 600 yards to the southwest, pictured above. The 165-foot brick tower is painted with spiraling black and white bands, and is the only spiral banded lighthouse in FL. It also retains its original first-order Fresnel lens. Six flights of stairs with frequent landings make the tower climb an easier one, and well worth the sweeping view it affords of "America's Oldest City."

After the lighthouse was automated in 1955, the federal government sold the station grounds to St. Johns County. The Junior Service League of St. Augustine later leased the property. In 1980 they began a sweeping restoration of the entire site, which has been returned to an exceptional condition.

At the time of my visit here in 2001, the lighthouse was open to the public, and the light was an active light.

Florida Beauty - Ponce deLeon Inlet Lighthouse

The Ponce deLeon Lighthouse is located approximately 10-miles south of Daytona Beach at Ponce Inlet, FL. It was built in 1887 and is the tallest lighthouse in FL standing at 175-feet. The lighthouse is made of brick and its foundation extends 12-feet below ground level. The lantern room was originally fitted with a first-order Fresnel lens until it was replaced in 1933 by a third-order (smaller) Fresnel lens. Years later that lens was replaced by a modern day beacon. In 1970 the lighthouse was decommissioned, and then re-activated in 1982.

At the time of my visit here in 2001, the light remained active and the lighthouse was open to the public.

Connecticut Beauty - Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse

The Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse is located at the mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, CT. It sits on the south end of the west jetty. The lighthouse was built in 1886. People have said it reminds them of a spark-plug .

The tower is made of cast-iron and lined with brick to help with insulation, but mainly to prevent condensation from forming on the inside of the iron walls. The tower contains four floors for the keepers dwelling. The lighthouse was originally fitted with a fifth-order Fresnel lens. In 1890, that lens was replaced by a fourth-order (larger) Fresnel lens. The U.S. Coast Guard automated the light in 1959 .

At the time of my visit here in 2001, this light was still an active light.