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Photograph of Amelia Island Light
Photograph by bubba73, CC BY-SA 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Amelia Island Lighthouse

Built in 1838. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. 11 historic topographic surveys show this location, the earliest from 1919.

From the record

“The Amelia Island Light is the oldest existing lighthouse in the state of Florida in the United States. It is located near the northern end of Amelia Island in the northeastern part of the state.”

Wikipedia article Amelia Island Light, CC BY-SA 4.0.

One of 15 National Register listings published here for Nassau County · listed in 2003 · category: Structure · built in 1838.

Sources: the Wikipedia article · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service

The listing

  • What is counted as historic. The nomination lists 3 structuress as contributing to the listing.
  • Address. 215 1/2 Lighthouse Circle, Fernandina Beach, 32034
  • When was it listed? February 2003
  • Category. structure
  • Also known as. Florida's Historic Lighthouses MPS
  • Census division. Fernandina Beach
  • When was it built? 1838
  • National Register reference number. 03000004 - the number the National Park Service assigned this property when it was listed, and the key its nomination file is catalogued under at the National Archives.

Then and now

1919 to 1994

The ground this property stands on, surveyed 75 years apart. Drag the handle to wipe between them. Both sheets are United States Geological Survey originals; neither has been altered.

Topographic sheet covering Amelia Island Lighthouse, surveyed 1994
Topographic sheet covering Amelia Island Lighthouse, surveyed 1919

Fires near this property

19 since 1996

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 19 fires within 5 miles of Amelia Island Lighthouse between 1996 and 2018, burning about 95 acres in total. 8 started naturally. 1 was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Natural8
Equipment and vehicle use3
Railroad operations and maintenance2
Misuse of fire by a minor2
Debris and open burning1
Arson/incendiarism1
Recreation and ceremony1
Missing data/not specified/undetermined1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
7 September 2011Equipment and vehicle useunder an acreFlorida Forest ServiceBUCCANEER (45)
4 July 2015Natural1.0 acresFlorida Forest ServiceINDEPENDENCE (45)
4 July 2015Natural1.0 acresFlorida Forest ServiceINDEPENDENCE 2 (45)
31 July 1999Natural8.0 acresFlorida Forest Servicenot named
29 July 2011Naturalunder an acreCumberland Island National SeashoreTORTOISE
2 July 2016Naturalunder an acreCumberland Island National SeashoreNATURAL OUT #2
7 June 1996Equipment and vehicle use12 acresFlorida Forest Servicenot named
29 June 2004Natural1.0 acresCumberland Island National SeashoreTUESDAY

Every fire recorded in Nassau County

Mines and quarries near this property

1 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 1 working within 5 miles of Amelia Island Lighthouse: 1 occurrence. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Titanium-Heavy Minerals. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Amelia Island PlacerTitanium-Heavy MineralsOccurrenceMonazite, Zircon, Rutile, Ilmenite

Every working recorded in Nassau County

Storms near this property

56 since 1995

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Fernandina Beach, the town this property stands in, in 56 storm reports between 1995 and 2025: 25 thunderstorm wind, 10 hail, 8 heavy rain, 3 rip current. The reports record 3 deaths and 2 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 2002Rip CurrentFernandina Beach1 killedTourist, caught in Rip Current drowned approximately 200 yards off the beach.
July 2004Rip CurrentFernandina Beach1 killedno account filed
August 1998Rip CurrentFernandina Beach1 killedno account filed
May 2001LightningFernandina Beach2 hurtWalking on Amelia Island Beach.
October 1996Flash FloodFernandina Beach$250,000no account filed
November 1995Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach$20,000A roof on a beachfront home in the 700 block of South Fletcher Avenue was lifted off and blown onto the beach. Large limbs and power lines were blown down throughout the county.
July 1999Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach$15,000Light poles snapped. One boat damaged.
June 2001Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach$3,500Large trees and power lines were blown down at South Fletcher and Sadler Rd.
April 1998Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach$2,500Large trees were uprooted.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach$2,000Large limbs and road signs were blown down. The spotter estimated wind gusts to 55 mph. The cost of damage was unknown but estimated for the event to be included in Storm Data.
April 2000Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach$1,500Large trees were blown down.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach$500A power line was blown down across Buccaneer Trail near McArthur Estates. The time of damage was based on radar. The cost of damage was unknown but it was estimated for inclusion of the event in Storm Data.
July 2018Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach$500Power lines were blown down at the intersection of South 14th Street and Hickory Street. The time of damage was based on radar. The cost of damage was unknown, but it was estimated for the event to be included in Storm Data.
July 2018Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach$500Power lines were blown down at the intersection south Fletcher Avenue and Jasmine St in Fernandina Beach. The time of damage was based on radar. The cost of damage was unknown, but it was estimated for inclusion of the event in Storm Data.
September 2001Tornado (F0)Fernandina Beach$500Weak F0. Waterspout moved on shore. Damaged the tops of a few trees.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach$100A tree was blown down near Olive Street. The time of damage was based on radar. The cost of damage was unknown, but it was estimated for inclusion of the event in Storm Data.
August 2025Heavy RainFernandina Beach-A mesonet station FW5640 Fernandina Beach measured 4.39 inches of rain. Rain began around 1030 AM.
September 2025FloodFernandina Beach-Fernandina Beach Police Department reported road closures along South Fletcher Ave between Atlantic Ave to Sadler Road and road closures on South 3rd Street between Elm Street and Gum Street.
September 2025Heavy RainFernandina Beach-Mesonet station FW5640 Fernandina Beach 2.5 inches of rain in one hour.
September 2025Heavy RainFernandina Beach-A personal weather station KFLFERNA8 measured 3.11 inches of rain in about an hour.
September 2024Heavy RainFernandina Beach-A personal weather station Island Time - KFLFERNA100 measured 4.06 inches of rain. | Rain began around 545 AM. About 3 inches | fell between 545 AM and 745 AM.
September 2024Heavy RainFernandina Beach-A mesonet station FW5640 Fernandina Beach measured | 5.63 inches of rain. About 2 inches fell | between 630 and 730 am.
September 2024Tornado (EF0)Fernandina Beach-A waterspout moved onshore as a landspout on Amelia Island. There was some debris lofted near oceanfront homes, likely from the roofs, as the landspout moved inland. The location is approximated.
July 2023FloodFernandina Beach-Street flooding was reported at the intersection of Front Street and Centre Street in Fernandina Beach.
July 2022Heavy RainFernandina Beach-A public site in Fernandina Beach received 2.28 inches of rainfall in 1 hour.
May 2020HailFernandina Beach-Penny size hail occurred in Fernandina Beach.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-Power lines were blown down near the intersection of Gum Street and South 9th Street. The time of damage was based on radar.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-Two trees were blown down in Fernandina Beach. One was blown down across a power line. The other was blown down across a road. The time of the events was based on radar.
September 2017Tornado (EF0)Fernandina Beach-This weak tornado touched down on the northern end of Amelia Island and tracked west across open marsh areas. Damage was limited to trees and shrubs and damage was not reported. The path width was estimated at 100 yards as the circulation tracked generally over open marsh land then dissipated over rural marsh land. There was a clear tornado debris signature on radar.
August 2015Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-Wires were blown down in Fernandina Beach. The time of damage was estimated.
August 2015Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-A tree and power line were blown down on Beech Street. The time of damage was based on radar.
May 2012HailFernandina Beach-Penny size hail was reported for 5 minutes with thunderstorm wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph (estimated).
September 2011Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-Trees were blown down along Tarpon Street. The time of damage was based on radar imagery.
September 2011Heavy RainFernandina Beach-The park ranger at Fort Clinch state park reported standing water of 1 foot on the roads. Fire trucks had difficulty maneuvering the roads to respond to lightning damage calls. NWS radar estimated 8 to 10 inches across Fernandina.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across Amelia Island including Amelia City and Fernandina Beach.
December 2009Heavy RainFernandina Beach-A volunteer measured a 24 hour rainfall total of 2.40 inches.
October 2005Funnel CloudFernandina Beach-Fernandina Beach Fire Chief and several Police Officers spotted funnel near State Road A1A and Sadler Road (Five Points). FD Chief was one half mile from funnel when spotted and followed it to the municipal marina in downtown Fernandina Beach. Funnel moved over the Amelia River with NO spray on the river. As it moved over the marshes toward Camden County, Georgia it dissipated.
June 1995Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-Winds measured at 63 mph were reported at Fernandina Harbor Marina.
May 1995Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-Wind gust of 71 mph reported at Fernandina Harbor Marina.
May 2006HailFernandina Beach-no account filed
July 2006Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-no account filed
June 2006HailFernandina Beach-no account filed
June 2006HailFernandina Beach-no account filed
June 2006HailFernandina Beach-no account filed
June 2006Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-no account filed
March 2005Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-no account filed
March 2005Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-no account filed
March 2005HailFernandina Beach-no account filed
October 2005Funnel CloudFernandina Beach-no account filed
June 2004HailFernandina Beach-no account filed
June 2004Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-no account filed
June 2004HailFernandina Beach-no account filed
July 2004Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-no account filed
October 2002HailFernandina Beach-no account filed
May 1996Thunderstorm WindFernandina Beach-no account filed
August 1996WaterspoutFernandina Beach-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Nassau County

Maps showing this location

11 surveys

United States Geological Survey topographic sheets whose coverage includes this point. Matched by taking the coordinate the National Park Service records for this property, then testing that coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet.

Listed places nearby

6 within 8 miles

Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.

Photograph PropertyDistance Listed
John Denham Palmer House0.7 miles1986
Merrick-Simmons House0.9 miles1983
Tabby House1.1 miles1973
Fernandina Beach Historic District (Boundary Increase)1.1 miles1987
Bailey House1.1 miles1973
Fernandina Beach Historic District1.1 miles1973

Sources for this property

National Archives recordThe nomination case file for reference 03000004 in Record Group 79.
Wikipedia articleCommunity-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA.
Nassau CountyAll 15 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

  • Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
  • Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
  • How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.