The Amelia Island lighthouse. | U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 14-1
Published on October 15, 2024 at 4:59 pm
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After 18 months out of service, the Amelia Island lighthouse is shining again.
Situated at the northern end of the island, the Amelia Island Light is the oldest existing lighthouse in Florida.
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The light did not function for 18 months because of a mechanical failure. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Flotilla 14-1 announced Tuesday that the beacon has officially been restored and is now active as an aid to navigation.
The lighthouse sits on a hill overlooking Egans Creek, where it marks the St. Marys Entrance, the inlet leading to St. Marys River, Cumberland Sound and the harbor of Fernandina Beach.
The white light flashes every 10 seconds, turning red from 344 degrees to 360 degrees when covering the shoal water in the vicinity of Nassau Sound.
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The tower for the light was formerly on Cumberland Island. It was moved and rebuilt on Amelia Island in 1838.
The ownership of the lighthouse tower and grounds was transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to the city of Fernandina Beach in 2001. The Coast Guard retained ownership and responsibility for the function of the beacon.
The lighthouse is not open to the public, except on Saturdays, when just the grounds are open.
For more information, go to https://www.ameliaisland.com/partners/amelia-island-lighthouse/
Randy comes to Jacksonville from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, where as metro editor, he led investigative coverage of the Parkland school shooting that won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for public service. He has spent more than 40 years in reporting and editing positions in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and Florida.
