St. Marks Lighthouse
The St. Marks Light is the second-oldest light station in Florida. The structure consists of the light keeper’s house attached to the 88 – foot tower, both resting on a 12- foot thick limestone base. According to local legend, the limestone blocks are from the ruins of old Fort San Marcos de Apalachee.
There are 85 spiral steps that extend up brick tower to the lantern room; the first 72 are wood and the last thirteen are iron. The tower walls are four feet thick at the base, tapering to 18 inches at the top. From 1867 until 2014 the lantern room contained a fourth order Fresnel lens.
Over the years, oil, kerosene, and electricity have powered the lamp which can be seen in the range of 12 – 14 miles, depending on light conditions. The St. Marks Lighthouse tower has always been white with a black lantern top. The keeper’s house has four- foot thick brick walls with twelve windows and two chimneys. Two exterior doors open onto the long covered porch.
Where it is:
St Marks Lighthouse is located on the east side of the mouth of the St. Marks River, on Apalachee Bay in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
The Refuge’s Visitor Center and administrative office is located about 25 miles south of Tallahassee, FL. From Tallahassee, take SR 363 (Woodville Hwy) to Wakulla. Turn left (east) on SR 267 (Bloxham Cutoff). At US 98 (Coastal Hwy), turn left (east) and cross the St. Marks River. Turn right on Lighthouse Road (CR 59) and drive 3 miles to the Visitor Center/Office. Continue for about 8 miles to the Lighthouse.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
GPS:
30°4’27.264″ N 84°10’46.53″ W
Cost:
$5 per vehicle
$25 for annual refuge pass
Federal Recreation Fee Passes are honored
Hours:
St. Marks is a Daylight Use Only refuge. The gates open at 6:00 a.m. and close at approximately at sunset, the actual time varying slightly with the season.
Food & Lodging – there is no place on the refuge to buy food or stay overnight, but picnic tables, drinking water. Restrooms are located inside the Visitor Center and at Tower Pond Trail.
St. Marks Lighthouse Photo Gallery
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More Photographic Destinations in Florida
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