My First Lighthouse Experience

The St. Augustine Lighthouse was the first lighthouse I was able to get up close to. I have always had to just view them from a distance. It was spring 2002 and my son and I went on vacation to Florida to meet some friends. This would be my very first time to get to go to the top of a lighthouse.

The lighthouse was built in 1874 and put into service with the new first order Fresnel lens. It was lit for the first time in October of that year by light keeper William Russell. Mr. Russell was the first lighthouse keeper for this tower and had also been the keeper in the old tower that fell to decay and beach errosion.

William A. Harn manned the site for 20 years as head-keeper. Mr. Harn's was from Philadelphia. Major Harn was also a Union war hero that commanded his own battery of men at the Battle of Gettysburg. Major Harn and his wife Kate had 6 daughters.

On August 31, 1886 the lighthouse swayed violently due to the Charleston Earthquake. It is reported in the Keeper's log book, but there were no recorded damages.

In 1885 after many experiments of oils for use in the lamp. The lamp was converted from lard oil to kerosene.

St. Augustine Light Station stand 165 feet tall. I remember standing on the outter deck at the top. It was as if I had died and gone to heaven. I have never felt any one spot so peaceful in my life. You could see the ocean for miles, look over St. Augustine and see the buildings. It was the most amazing feeling I have ever felt. I hope to get to do this again some day.