St. Augustine’s Lighthouse Provides Visitors a Glance at the Past

In this installment of ‘History Off the Beaten Path,’ the St. Augustine lighthouse draws attention for its expansive views and the history of its keepers.

The St. Augustine lighthouse has stood for just over 150 years. Josh Hallett/CC BY-SA 2.0

Many lighthouses around the country are inactive, serving as reminders of a time when these navigational aids along America’s coasts were essential for guiding ships. However, St. Augustine, Florida’s lighthouse, completed in 1874, is still an active lighthouse for the U.S. Coast Guard.  

Its architect was Paul J. Pelz, famous for designing the Library of Congress’s Jefferson Building in Washington.