The beautiful Amelia Island lies at the entrance to St. Mary’s River, at Florida’s northernmost point. Although similar in size to Manhattan, only 10,000 people actually live here today. In the early days, Amelia attracted a rather unsavory crowd of smugglers, pirates and slave traders. Eventually, the mosquito infested island and its principle town, Fernandina Beach, developed into an important trading center for lumber, phosphate, shrimp and military supplies.

Lying just off the north Florida coast, the treacherous shoals of Nassau Sound were a constant hazard for mariners, particularly at night. In 1820 a lighthouse was erected on Little Cumberland Island, Georgia, just north of Amelia to warn sailors off the shoals. Two decades later officials dismantled the light at Cumberland and moved it to Amelia Island.

In 1839 the fifty-foot brick tower was reassembled on Amelia, two miles from the north end of the island. Winding granite steps, hand hewn in New England, were shipped by boat and added to the tower. Although some historians argue that it was done later, most agree that an additional twelve-foot section was added to the tower at this time, elevating the focal plane to 105 feel above sea level. Comparatively small when measured against other Florida lights, because of the natural elevation of the location, the 64-foot height was more than adequate.

Although the new lighthouse was vitally important to sailors navigating Nassau Sound or heading into St. Mary’s River, it was not considered a major coastal light. Consequently, only one light keeper and his family were generally assigned to this post at one time.

In 1935 the station was electrified, greatly increasing the lantern’s power. Today, the station is automated and still serves as an important aid to navigation. Both large and small seafaring vessels continue to rely on the familiar flashing white and red beacon to guide them down the waterway to safety.