St. Johns River Lighthouse
A historic Mayport Village landmark with a future worth saving.
St. Johns River Lighthouse, 2026
St. Johns River Lighthouse, Date Unknown
The St. Johns River Lighthouse, first lit in 1859, has stood near the mouth of the St. Johns River, guiding generations of maritime history in Mayport Village. Today, the Lighthouse is no longer accessible to the public, but the Mayport Lighthouse Association is working toward a bold future: relocating, restoring, and reopening this landmark for the community.
History of the
St. Johns River Lighthouse
history
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Why the Lighthouse Needs Saving
Although the St. Johns River Lighthouse still stands, its current location presents major barriers to preservation and public access. The Lighthouse is located on Naval Station Mayport, near active military operations, and is not open to the public. The structure has also faced years of exposure, flooding at the base, and deterioration.
In 2025, we began a professional feasibility study to determine whether the St. Johns River Lighthouse could be safely relocated from Naval Station Mayport to a publicly accessible site in Mayport Village.
The study brought together preservation, architectural, engineering, and site-planning expertise to better understand the Lighthouse’s current condition, the proposed new location, and the technical requirements of relocation. The results confirmed an important next step in the effort to save the Lighthouse: relocation is feasible, pending the necessary approvals, permitting, and continued support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is a feasibility study?
A feasibility study is a comprehensive analysis to assess whether a proposed project will be successful. It helps determine many factors like technical, economic, and legal considerations to assist with future planning and budgeting. For the potential relocation of the St. Johns River Lighthouse, the feasibility study will produce a comprehensive report that includes a condition assessment of the structure, a move path and methodology, and a conceptual plan for the new site. We will also receive a cost estimate for the relocation of the lighthouse, including both architectural and engineering design fees, and for the move itself.
We have received positive and encouraging results from the Feasibility Study we conducted in early 2026. You can read about the results by following the link below.
❓ Why move the Lighthouse?
The St. Johns River Lighthouse currently sits on Naval Station Mayport, where the only access is through the lowest window. The door is buried under 8-10 ft. of fill dirt that was added in the 1940s when the airfield was constructed. The condition of the portion of the tower underground is currently unknown and the lighthouse's location near an active runway and commercial vehicle inspection station places the structure at further risk. It also hasn’t had major restoration work since the early 1980s.
Public access is not possible at the current site due to military security and safety restrictions. Relocating it to the Mayport Village waterfront would preserve the lighthouse, make it accessible to the public, and contribute to the economic and cultural revitalization of the village. This move supports the vision of the Mayport Waterfront Partnership to strengthen the area’s identity as a working waterfront and historic maritime community.
❓ Can you move a lighthouse safely?
Yes! There are several successful examples of historic lighthouse relocations:
In 1999, ICC Commonwealth, our consulting firm for the feasibility study, relocated the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest in the U.S., 2,900 feet inland to protect it from shoreline erosion.
Two lighthouses in Florida’s Panhandle region have been successfully relocated. Cape San Blas was moved 15 miles inland in 2014 to protect it from severe beach erosion, and Cape St. George was reconstructed in 2008 using the original bricks after it collapsed during a storm.
Southeast Lighthouse on Block Island, Rhode Island, and Gay Head Lighthouse in Massachusetts were successfully moved in 1993 and 2015, respectively, to save them from eroding cliffs.
As an Affiliate Partner of the United States Lighthouse Society, the Mayport Lighthouse Association benefits from expert guidance in historic preservation, including structural relocations.
Our Vision for the Future
Our long-term vision is to relocate the St. Johns River Lighthouse to a City-owned waterfront site in Mayport Village, where it can be restored, interpreted, and made accessible to the public.
In its proposed new home, the Lighthouse could become a destination for history, education, preservation, and community gathering. It would reconnect the Lighthouse to the River, to Mayport Village, and to new visitors for years to come.
Through the Years
The St. Johns River Lighthouse has stood for more than 150 years, witnessing generations of change in Mayport Village and along the River. First lit in 1859, the Lighthouse looked very different from the structure we see today, and the community around it has transformed many times over.
From its years guiding vessels near the mouth of the St. Johns River, to its decommissioning in 1929, to its current location on Naval Station Mayport, the Lighthouse has remained a rare and important link to Mayport Village’s maritime past.
Today, the Mayport Lighthouse Association is working to ensure its next chapter includes relocation, restoration, and public access, so future generations can experience this historic Lighthouse up close.
2025
Mayport Lighthouse Association
Circa 1900
credit
1929
2000
Courtesy of Nadine Peacock
Mayport Lighthouse Association, Inc.
PO Box 7148
Jacksonville, Florida 32238 info@mayportlighthouseassociation.org
501(c)(3) non-profit organization
REGISTRATION NUMBER CH67070
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES WEBSITE [FDACSS.GOV] OR BY CALLING TOLL-FREE [800-435-7352]. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Dan Hogan, President
president@mayportlighthouseassociation.org
904-420-8839
Elizabeth Boggs, Vice President
membership@mayportlighthouseassociation.org
Beverly Oakes, Treasurer
treasurer@mayportlighthouseassociation.org
Valerie Bennett, Secretary
info@mayportlighthouseassociation.org