Then & Now

First lit on August 1, 1859, the St. Johns River Lighthouse stands on Naval Station Mayport, inaccessible to the public and partially buried under 8-10 feet of fill dirt. Relocating the tower to the Mayport Village waterfront would enable restoration, open it to visitors, and boost cultural, educational, and economic activity in the community.

Preserving Maritime History

The Mayport Lighthouse Association is dedicated not only to preserving the St. Johns River Lighthouse, but also to protecting the broader maritime heritage of Mayport Village. Our mission includes honoring the full story of this working waterfront community, from the St. Johns Lightship (1929–1954), which was once stationed seven miles off the mouth of the St. Johns River, to the 1954 Art Deco–style St. Johns Lighthouse, which remains an active aid to navigation operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. By preserving the stories of these landmarks, we aim to ensure that Mayport’s rich maritime legacy continues to be recognized, celebrated, and shared for generations to come.

St. Johns Lightship

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St. Johns Lighthouse

"I can think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse.

They were built only to serve."

-George Bernard Shaw