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Historic Amelia
Island Lighthouse
In continuous operation from 1839 to the outbreak of the Civil War, then was relit in 1868. During the Civil War Confederate-held lighthouses were partially dismanted and key parts safely hidden so as to not aid the Union forces. The lens mechanism of the Amelia Island Lighthouse was removed as shipped away so as not to fall into Union hands. During World War II, following a U-boat attack off the coast near Jacksonville, the lighthouse was manned by the US Coast Guard. Before that time, up until 1939, the US Lighthouse Service was responsible for the facility. The absorption of the Lighthouse Service into the Coast Guard in 1939 meant the duties of tending the beacon, a 24-hour duty, were now performed by the military, rather than by civilians. The City of Fernandina Beach became the proud owners of the lighthouse in 2001, when the facility was deeded from the Coast Guard under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. The lighthouse underwent a major restoration in 2002, and is now open for tours twice a month, as there are still parts of the restoration that are incomplete. Visiting the Amelia Island Lighthouse is a major part of any tour of the island, and should not be missed.
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On a
clear night you can see forever---or at least far enough to need a
lighthouse. And it is a beautiful example of 19th century
technology, standing 107 feet above sea level on the north end of Amelia
Island. Our lighthouse is the second highest point along the Florida
coast, and lit the way for myriads of seafarers starting in 1839.