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St. Marks Lighthouse
1842 St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge The first lighthouse was constructed at the mouth of the St. Marks River in 1829-1830, but it was rebuilt in 1842 and stands to this day. The lighthouse tower stands some 80 feet tall. Early in the Civil War, the U.S. Gulf Blockading Squadron burned the wooden stairs in the lighthouse tower to prevent its use by Confederates. In March of 1865, a U.S. fleet landed troops near this landmark for a campaign intent on capturing Confederate Fort Ward. This campaign failed with the defeat of U.S. forces at the Battle of Natural Bridge on March 6, 1865. U.S. troops withdrew to the coast in the vicinity of the lighthouse, and returned aboard the fleet. The lighthouse is still in use and is located on the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. The grounds are open daily but the keeper's house and tower are open only on special occasion. « prev 1 next »

St. Marks Lighthouse

1842

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

The first lighthouse was constructed at the mouth of the St. Marks River in 1829-1830, but it was rebuilt in 1842 and stands to this day. The lighthouse tower stands some 80 feet tall.

Early in the Civil War, the U.S. Gulf Blockading Squadron burned the wooden stairs in the lighthouse tower to prevent its use by Confederates. In March of 1865, a U.S. fleet landed troops near this landmark for a campaign intent on capturing Confederate Fort Ward. This campaign failed with the defeat of U.S. forces at the Battle of Natural Bridge on March 6, 1865. U.S. troops withdrew to the coast in the vicinity of the lighthouse, and returned aboard the fleet.

The lighthouse is still in use and is located on the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. The grounds are open daily but the keeper's house and tower are open only on special occasion.

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The Florida Public Archaeology Network is dedicated to the protection of cultural resources, both on land and underwater, and to involving the public in the study of their past.

If you know of additional places that you would like to see added to our Destination Civil War pages, have questions, or have additional information that you would like to share, contact us at civilwar@flpublicarchaeology.org.