Amelia Island Light facts for kids
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| Amelia Island lighthouse | |
 Amelia Island Light
Location in Florida
Amelia Island Light
Location in the United States
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| Location | northern end of Amelia Island marking the St. Marys Entrance Fernandina Beach Florida United States |
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| Coordinates | 30°40′23.43″N 81°26′32.94″W / 30.6731750°N 81.4424833°W |
| Year first constructed | 1838-1839 |
| Automated | 1970 |
| Foundation | stone basement |
| Construction | brick with stucco tower |
| Tower shape | tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, black lantern |
| Height | 64 feet (20 m) |
| Focal height | 107 feet (33 m) |
| Original lens | 14 lamps with 14-inch (360 mm) reflectors in a revolving lens (1839) 3rd order Fresnel lens (1903) |
| Range | white: 23 nautical miles (43 km; 26 mi) red: 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s. red from 344° to 360°, covers shoal water in vicinity of Nassau Sound. |
| Admiralty number | J2856 |
| NGA number | 11460 |
| ARLHS number | USA-010 |
| USCG number | 565 |
The Amelia Island Light is the oldest lighthouse still standing in Florida, United States. You can find it near the northern tip of Amelia Island. This lighthouse helps guide ships into the St. Marys Entrance. This entrance leads to the St. Marys River, Cumberland Sound, and the busy harbor of Fernandina Beach, Florida. The light flashes white every ten seconds. It turns red in a specific direction to warn ships about shallow water nearby.
The United States Coast Guard lists this lighthouse as number 565.
Contents
History of the Amelia Island Lighthouse
Building the Lighthouse
The Amelia Island Lighthouse was built in 1838. Workers used materials from an older lighthouse. This old lighthouse was on Cumberland Island in Georgia. It was called the Little Cumberland Island Light and was built in 1820.
The Amelia Island Lighthouse tower was first 50 feet tall. It stood on a hill, making it even taller. In 1881, a special top part called a lantern was added. This made the tower 64 feet tall. The light itself shines from 107 feet above sea level.
How the Light Works
When the lighthouse first lit up in 1839, it had 14 lamps. Each lamp had a 14-inch reflector to make the light brighter. By 1848, the reflectors were made even bigger, at 15 inches.
In 1903, a new, more advanced lens was installed. This was a "third-order" Fresnel lens, made by a company called Barbier Benard. This special lens is still used in the lighthouse today!
Lighthouse Keepers and Automation
For many years, people called "keepers" lived at the lighthouse. They made sure the light was always working. The Amelia Island Light became automated in 1970. This means machines took over the job of keeping the light on.
The last few keepers were from the same family. Thomas J. O'Hagan was the next-to-last keeper. His father, Thomas P. O'Hagan, was also a keeper before him.
The light still works today, helping ships navigate. However, the lighthouse building itself is now a private home.
Who Manages the Lighthouse?
The United States Coast Guard used to own the lighthouse. In 2001, they gave ownership to the City of Fernandina Beach. The city now takes care of this important historical building.
Even though the city owns the building, the Coast Guard is still in charge of the light. They make sure the beacon works correctly.
Visiting the Lighthouse
The City of Fernandina Beach limits how much people can visit the lighthouse. As of 2015, the lighthouse building itself is not open to the public. However, you can visit the grounds on Saturdays for three hours. The city also offers special tours to the lighthouse twice a month.
Gallery
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This photo is from the U.S. Coast Guard archives.
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This is the oil building next to the lighthouse.
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A view of the lighthouse and its surroundings.
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A close-up of the special lens inside the lighthouse.
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The lighthouse seen from a distance.
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