Long before the days of GPS, lighthouses played an integral role in keeping sailors safe on the water. There was no Siri to tell them where to go, they had to fully rely on their wits and Lighthouses. On August 7, 1789, the U.S. Congress recognized the importance of Lighthouses and passed the Act for the Establishment and support of Lighthouses, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers. This act officially put Lighthouses under federal control, attempting [...]
Storm clouds loom ominously over the lighthouse; photo by author Floridians know our state experiences more lightning strikes than any other. Here at the lighthouse, this poses a safety concern. Although it is a myth that lightning ALWAYS strikes the tallest object, because of their height tall objects are much more likely to suffer a strike if lightning is in the area. Being one of the tallest objects in an area that sees [...]
This seventh installment in our ongoing series on the history of the St. Augustine Lighthouse focuses on the end of the lighthouse keepers at the lighthouse and environmental changes in the area. Click the links below to read previous posts in the series: Lighthouse History Pre-1874 Lighthouse History 1874-1894 (Part I) Lighthouse History 1874-1894 (Part II) Lighthouse History 1894-1914 Lighthouse History 1914-1934 Lighthouse History 1934-1954 1954 – 1974 Lighthouse keepers served a vital function, keeping [...]
This sixth installment in our ongoing series on the history of the St. Augustine Lighthouse focuses on the changeover from the oil lantern to an electric lantern and the experience of the lighthouse and keepers during World War II. Click the links below to read previous posts in the series: Lighthouse History Pre-1874 Lighthouse History 1874-1894 (Part I) Lighthouse History 1874-1894 (Part II) Lighthouse History 1894-1914 Lighthouse History 1914-1934 1934-1954 The introduction of electricity in [...]
This fifth installment in our ongoing series on the history of the St. Augustine Lighthouse focuses on the growth of the St. Augustine community during the early 20th century and the effect it had on the lighthouse and the people living and working there. Click the links below to read previous posts in the series: Lighthouse History Pre-1874 Lighthouse History 1874-1894 (Part I) Lighthouse History 1874-1894 (Part II) Lighthouse History 1894-1914 1914-1934 For much of [...]
This fourth installment in our ongoing series on the history of the St. Augustine Lighthouse focuses on the tenure of Joseph Rantia and the arrival of our longest serving head keeper Peter Rasmusson. Click the links below to read previous posts in the series: Lighthouse History Pre-1874 Lighthouse History 1874-1894 (Part I) Lighthouse History 1874-1894 (Part II) 1894-1914 Promoted from 1st Assistant upon William Harn’s death, Joseph Rantia (often spelled Ranty) served as head keeper [...]
This third installment in our ongoing series on the history of the St. Augustine Lighthouse continues the story of lighthouse keeper William Harn and his wife, Kate.Click below to read previous installments of the series:Lighthouse History Pre-1874Lighthouse History 1874-1894 (Part I)Charleston, SC 1860… The presence of a (now) foreign army on their land was untenable for the newly independent South Carolina. Upon succession, US. Army Major Robert Anderson evacuated Fort Moultrie after sabotaging the military [...]
This second installment in the ongoing series on the history of the St. Augustine Lighthouse begins with the construction of the current lighthouse in 1874 and takes us to the story of William Harn and his family, the first head keeper’s family to live in the current Keepers’ House. Click below to read previous installments of the series:Lighthouse History Pre-18741874 – 1894: Designing a New Lighthouse By 1874, the lighthouses popping up along the Atlantic [...]
For 140 years, the St. Augustine Lighthouse has presented its beacon to sailors along the nation’s First Coast. It’s seen keepers and families come and go, witnessed the construction and removal of auxiliary structures, and adapted to new and innovative technologies, all while the community around it expands and evolves. This series of blog posts will explore that history, 20 (or so) years at a time. Pre – 1874 The story of the current St. [...]
Who were the Harns? In our new interactive exhibit, At Home with the Harns, you can experience life as it was for Head Keeper William Harn and his family. Harn served at the St. Augustine Light Station from 1875-1889 where he and his family were the first residents of the Victorian Keepers’ House. But who were the Harns? How did they come to be in St. Augustine? William & Kate’s Marriage St. Augustine Lighthouse Keeper, Brevet Major William [...]
