St Augustine is situated next to the lovely Matanzas Bay and River. The historic Bridge of Lions spans the bay to reach Anastasia Island. The Bridge of Lions crosses the Matanzas River between downtown St. Augustine and Anastasia Island. The Matanzas River flows into the Atlantic. I stayed in a very nice little hotel right across the street from the ocean on Anastasia Island. It is only a few minutes drive from there to the center of St. Augustine.
crossing the Bridge of Lions into St. Augustine from Anastasia Island |
Matanzas Bay and River looking toward the Bridge of Lions St. Augustine |
Matanzas Bay and River next to the Castillo de San Marcos |
While on Anastasia Island there is an interesting site well worth visiting, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum. This is a working lighthouse that serves the nation's oldest port.
St Augustine Lighthouse Station
on Anastasia Island |
Lighthouse Park is located on the northern tip of Anastasia Island, just inside the limits of the City of St. Augustine, Florida. The northern tip of Anastasia Island has been closely associated with the defense and maritime history of St. Augustine since the 16th century. During the late 16th century a Spanish sentry tower was located in the vicinity of Lighthouse Park. From the wooden tower Spanish lookouts observed Spanish shipping and any water borne threats to the security of St. Augustine. From this vantage point, they spotted the approach of English privateers, commanded by Sir Francis Drake, who attacked and burned St. Augustine in 1586.
St Augustine Lighthouse Station
on Anastasia Island |
St Augustine Lighthouse Station
on Anastasia Island |
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In order to allow mariners to establish their location during the day, every lighthouse has unique colors and patterns. St. Augustine's “daymark” is black and white spiral stripes with a red lantern. The lighthouse rises 165 feet above sea level.
St Augustine Lighthouse Station
on Anastasia Island |
St Augustine Lighthouse Station
on Anastasia Island |
In 1824, an old Spanish watchtower in St. Augustine became Florida's first lighthouse with Juan Andreau, a Minorcan, as the first lightkeeper. Originally, the lighthouse used Winslow Lewis Argand lamps for illumination. The US government improved the light's quality by installing a 4th order Fresnel lens in 1855. This light could be seen much farther than the old lamps.
St Augustine Lighthouse Station
on Anastasia Island |
St Augustine Lighthouse Station
on Anastasia Island |
In the late 1860s, the US government determined that the encroaching ocean was threatening the foundation of the light station. By 1870, the old tower and keeper's quarters were no longer adequate. A new light station was needed. On October 15, 1874, the keeper extinguished the light in the old lighthouse for the last time. Keepers continued to live in the old quarters until 1876 when they moved to the new light station. Just four years later the old lighthouse crashed into the sea.
The keeper’s dwelling was electrified in 1925, but the tower was not wired up until 1936.
St Augustine Lighthouse Station
on Anastasia Island |
St Augustine Lighthouse Station
on Anastasia Island |
This lighthouse is on the National Register Listing. The present tower was first lighted in 1846. It is operated by the Florida Park Service. There is a museum and gift shop that are handicapped accessible. To reach the top of this 167 ft. structure, you have to climb 219 steps.
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