History
St Augustine – In 1546, Europeans landed at the Matanzas inlet and have inhabited this city continually ever since. The first to come were the Spanish, followed closely by the French, then English, then Spanish again, then Pirates, more Europeans, more pirates, northerners, and so it went. They all arrived by Sea, and they rarely came in peace.
The original Light Station was a watch tower to warn the city of impending battle, but as time passed and battles were fought the United States of America was formed; and the need for a watch tower was replaced by the need to guide ships safely to harbor to unload citizens and badly needed supplies.
St. Augustine's early history is in fact a maritime history. It is estimated that more than 200 shipwrecks lie off our coast. The earliest victims of conquest, piracy and a poorly understood coast line. With the enactment of the lighthouse bill, the newly formed government of the United states called for the establishment of Lighthouses at every major seafaring entry and also designated sites between. The government knew that the building of a new nation would rely on being able to land safely the supplies and persons brought over from Europe.
So St. Augutine's "watch station" was built up by an additional 30 feet and became the first Light Station aiding navigation to America. Today, The St. Augustine Lighthouse remains a fuctioning lighthouse and aid to navigation.
The Light Keepers Cottage was built by the one of the last Light Keepers. The story goes that he lived with his family in the house he built adjacent to the Lightstation because he was unnerved by the stories of ghosts in the Lightkeepers House. It is not a matter of record how long the Lightkeeper stayed on in his cottage, but over the years it has been home to a bird rescue and rehabilitation clinic and to local families. Your hosts are members of the Lighthouse and volunteer Guild members. They purchased the home in 2002 and have thoughtfully restored it to make it comfortable once again to welcome visitors. There are two units for you to choose from, which is the custom for Light Keepers, as there were always two families assigned to the stations. Both units are private from each other. One faces west toward the setting sun, and one east toward the rising sun. Each have there own yard and entry.
The Lighthouses are stories of Human ingenuity, human achievement, and human kindness. Light Keepers were traditionally rugged but generous persons living in outpost areas where services were scare to non-existant, yet they welcomed travelers and aided the stranded and shared what they were able. If you climb the 219 steps to the top of the tower, you will be rewarded with an outstanding view of the ancient city, as well as the bird rookery across the street. Equally impressive is viewing the precision mechanism that has for more than 130 years rotated the lens every thirty seconds to create our night mark. The lens and gears are very sculptural and are beautiful in their simplicity and precision.
