We are going to TEXAS!!!!

Texas is the second-largest U.S. state (after Alaska), but its long and relatively featureless coast on the Gulf of Mexico has never required very many lighthouses. And unfortunately, the number of historic Texas lighthouses has fallen from 7 to 5 since 2000. In May 2000 the Galveston Jetty Light collapsed into the Gulf during a severe thunderstorm, and in early 2002 the Coast Guard demolished the Sabine Bank Light. Of the five remaining historic lights, only two, Matagorda and Lydia Ann, are active, both under private maintenance.

Let's visit Florida

Active: Yes
Characteristics: Flashes every 10 seconds; has red sector on the southeast.
Height: 64 feet, 69 steps
DayMark: White conical tower with black lantern
History: Constructed 1838 - 39 (present site). First lighted: Spring 1839. Listed in National Register.
Lens: Original:14 revolving Lewis patent lamps with 15-inch reflectors, 1838. Other used: third-order, revolving Frensnel Lens,

Henry-LePaute, 1868. Present: third-order revolving Fresnel lens: Barbier & Bernard. 1903. Focal Plane: 107 feet.
Construction: Architect and Builder: Winslow Lewis. Conical brick tower, foundation: brick, construction materials: brick, granite and iron.
Other Buildings: Oil storage house, 1960's ranch-style keeper's dwelling; two car garage.

Coordinates:
     30 40 24 N
     80 26 30 W

Operated by: United States Coast Guard
Visit Status: Lighthouse grounds are open to the public every Saturday between 11am and 2pm.
The City of Fernandina Beach offers tours of the Amelia Island Lighthouse grounds on the first and third Wednesday at 10am.  For reservations go to http://www.fbfl.us/index.aspx?nid=474 or call (904)277-7350.
Facilities: None
Visitor Info: Grounds only open when gate is open. This lighthouse has recently been transferred to the City of Fernandina Beach, which will soon get a state grant to restore the lighthouse and open it to the public. The lighthouse can presently be seen from Lighthouse Circle.

Aloha Everyone!!

The original ironwork of the watch room and lantern at Diamond Head are still in use. The present tower, built in 1917, was constructed of reinforced concrete and stands 55 feet high. The original lighting equipment consisted of a 3rd order Fresnel lens and a special multiple-wick kerosene oil lamp, imported from France in 1899. These pieces of equipment were standard throughout the world for lights of this size and importance.

The first step in modernization at Diamond Head Lighthouse was to replace the fixed or steady light with the present day flashing light. Diamond Head Lighthouse has been progressively improved until today it stands as a modern automated USCG aid to navigation.