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Pensacola Lighthouse - Pensacola, Florida
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| The Pensacola Lighthouse Completed in 1858 and lit in 1859, the Pensacola Lighthouse towers 160 feet above Pensacola Bay and the Florida Gulf Coast. |
The Pensacola Lighthouse
The beautiful Pensacola Lighthouse has towered over Pensacola
Bay since 1858 and is still in use today. Located on the Pensacola
Naval Air Station, the grounds of the lighthouse are open daily.
The current tower was authorized by Congress in 1854 to replace an
earlier structure and was constructed under the supervision of John
Newton, an Army engineering officer. He later became the General
John Newton who commanded the Union army at the Battle of
Natural Bridge, Florida in 1865.
The tower was completed in 1858 and lit the following year. It is 160
feet tall and ranges in diameter from 30 feet at the base to 15 feet at
the top.
The Pensacola Lighthouse had only been in operation for around
two years when the Civil War came to Pensacola Bay. Confederate
forces darkened the light and removed the lens to prevent it being
used to help Union ships in their navigation of the offshore waters.
They also constructed a battery of heavy artillery, called the
"Lighthouse Battery" near the tower. This battery was a key target of
Union forces in Fort Pickens during the massive bombardments that
shook Pensacola Bay in November of 1861. The lighthouse itself
was struck six times by shot from Union cannon, but was not
seriously damaged.
The Confederates evacuated Pensacola in May of 1862 and Union
forces set about repairing the damage to the lighthouse. They
installed a new lens and the tower was lit again on December 20,
1862.
Over the years since the Civil War, it has been struck by lightning,
raged against by hurricanes and even shaken by an earthquake. It
survived it all, however, and remains in use today.
The Pensacola Lighthouse is located adjacent to the National
Museum of Naval Aviation and Fort Barrancas and can be accessed
through the west gate of the Pensacola Naval Air Station, where
visitors are given passes to visit the museum, forts and lighthouse.
While the public is not allowed to climb the tower at this time, visitors
are welcome to tour the grounds. The original Keeper's House is
open on Sunday afternoons from May through October and includes
displays on local history.
To reach the Pensacola Lighthouse from Interstate 10, just exit at
Pine Forest Road, turn onto Blue Angel Parkway and follow the
signs for the Museum of Naval Aviation. There is no charge to visit
the lighthouse grounds.
Bay since 1858 and is still in use today. Located on the Pensacola
Naval Air Station, the grounds of the lighthouse are open daily.
The current tower was authorized by Congress in 1854 to replace an
earlier structure and was constructed under the supervision of John
Newton, an Army engineering officer. He later became the General
John Newton who commanded the Union army at the Battle of
Natural Bridge, Florida in 1865.
The tower was completed in 1858 and lit the following year. It is 160
feet tall and ranges in diameter from 30 feet at the base to 15 feet at
the top.
The Pensacola Lighthouse had only been in operation for around
two years when the Civil War came to Pensacola Bay. Confederate
forces darkened the light and removed the lens to prevent it being
used to help Union ships in their navigation of the offshore waters.
They also constructed a battery of heavy artillery, called the
"Lighthouse Battery" near the tower. This battery was a key target of
Union forces in Fort Pickens during the massive bombardments that
shook Pensacola Bay in November of 1861. The lighthouse itself
was struck six times by shot from Union cannon, but was not
seriously damaged.
The Confederates evacuated Pensacola in May of 1862 and Union
forces set about repairing the damage to the lighthouse. They
installed a new lens and the tower was lit again on December 20,
1862.
Over the years since the Civil War, it has been struck by lightning,
raged against by hurricanes and even shaken by an earthquake. It
survived it all, however, and remains in use today.
The Pensacola Lighthouse is located adjacent to the National
Museum of Naval Aviation and Fort Barrancas and can be accessed
through the west gate of the Pensacola Naval Air Station, where
visitors are given passes to visit the museum, forts and lighthouse.
While the public is not allowed to climb the tower at this time, visitors
are welcome to tour the grounds. The original Keeper's House is
open on Sunday afternoons from May through October and includes
displays on local history.
To reach the Pensacola Lighthouse from Interstate 10, just exit at
Pine Forest Road, turn onto Blue Angel Parkway and follow the
signs for the Museum of Naval Aviation. There is no charge to visit
the lighthouse grounds.
| The Lighthouse from Fort Barrancas The 160 foot tower of the Pensacola Lighthouse is visible for miles. This image was taken from the walls of nearby Fort Barrancas. |
| Friendly Beacon of Pensacola Bay Still in use today, the Pensacola Lighthouse provides important navigational assistance for boats and ships entering Pensacola Bay. |
