The Wandering Disciple

The St Augustine Lighthouse shines her light over the Atlantic Ocean, lighting the way for ships out on the sea. Towering 165 feet over the water, the light from the tower can be seen up to 21 miles offshore. This is the second lighthouse built on Anastasia Island, the first suffered from beach erosion. This tower was completed in 1874 and went into service with a first order Fresnel lens. The original lens continues to light the night sky today just as it had in 1874, the only difference is the light is now automated. (Photo: March 16, 2020)

A long set of spiral stairs leads to the top of the St Augustine Lighthouse.  219 steps take visitors to the top of the 165 foot lighthouse for a panoramic view of St Augustine.  (Photo: November 13, 2011)

Rising high above the beach, the St Augustine Lighthouse provides a beacon of light, guiding ships through the water surround St Augustine.  Erected in 1874, the 165 foot brick lighthouse was the second lighthouse built at this location to provide aid to navigation.  Today the lighthouse is open to visitors and those who make the journey up the spiral stairs are rewarded with an amazing view of the surrounding area.  (Photo: November 13, 2011)

The view from the top of the St Augustine is well worth the climb. At 165 feet tall, the lighthouse provides a stunning view of historic St Augustine as well as the Atlantic coast. (Photo: November 13, 2011)

This mysterious foot print appeared out of nowhere during our visit to the St Augustine Lighthouse. We arrived at the lighthouse before they opened and were the first ones on the grounds and up the tower, right behind the staffer who was opening the tower. My wife who is afraid of heights, chose to wait at the bottom and not climb the tower. My son and I went up the tower and when we returned, my wife quickly pointed out this footprint that appeared in front of her. There was no one else around and the three of us and the staffer were all wearing hard shoes. As you can see, this is clearly a barefoot footprint and the only one in the hallway. The St Augustine Lighthouse is considered haunted and has appeared on an episode of Ghosthunters. (Photo: November 13, 2011)

Towering over Anastasia Island, the St Augustine Lighthouse has been guiding ships around these shallow waters for over 180 years.  The original lighthouse was opened in 1824 as the first commissioned lighthouse in Florida.  However the Florida weather caused deterioration of the first lighthouse and new lighthouse was built.  It was first lit in 1874 and remains in operation today.  (Photo: November 13, 2011)

Since 1874, the St. Augustine Lighthouse has helped guide ships through the treacherous waters off the coast of St. Augustine. The keeper’s house was built to house the keeper and his family in 1876. It would remain the residence of the keep until the lighthouse was automated in 1955. Today the house is a museum that houses exhibits about the history and importance of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. (Photo: November 13, 2011)

At 165 feet above sea level, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is the tallest structure in St. Augustine. Built in 1874, it was the second lighthouse in St. Augustine replacing the earlier structure that was threatened by erosion. The lens at the top of the lighthouse consist of 370 hand-cut prisms that work to sign a beacon of light over the Atlantic to help navigate ships through the seas. (Photo: November 12, 2011)

St. Augustine, Florida: A beacon of light on the rough seas of the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Augustine Lighthouse has helped ships navigate these waters for over 130 years. Over the years, the lighthouse has withstood wars, storms and tragedy while still shining its light on the horizon, guiding ships to safety. Lighthouses in St. Augustine have been in existence way before today’s lighthouse was built. Early accounts show that there was a beacon of light to guide ships during the piracy days of the late 1500’s. The first formal reference to a lighthouse was during British occupation of the city in the late 1700’s. The first lighthouse was built by the Spanish in 1737. Using coquina from a quarry on the island, they built a lighthouse tower. The tower served as the St. Augustine Lighthouse until it fell victim to the sea in 1880, crashing into the water. The current lighthouse was built in 1874. At 165 feet in height, it was the largest structure in the region. Its first order F...

St. Augustine, Florida: The sun rose over day three of our trip, our final day in St. Augustine. Since we had a long drive ahead of us and school/work in the morning, it will be a short day in the city. We broke down camp, packed up the truck and explored the park a bit before heading out. Our first stop of the day was at the St. Augustine Lighthouse. From there we climbed the 219 steps to the top of the lighthouse. We were rewarded with a spectacular view of the city and surrounding area from 165 feet in the air. Once we returned back to the ground, we encountered some of the lighthouse’s famous ghostly appearances. We were the first customers allowed into the lighthouse. My son and I climbed to the top while my wife waited at the base. When we returned to the ground, there was a fresh (wet) shoeless footprint on the tile floor. Just one and so detailed you could see toes, heel and arch. However no-one was in the hall without shoes during the whole time and there was only one...