The St. Johns River Light at Mayport, Florida Is in the making. Probably come out next year. It is to come with the attached Keepers quarters. The Keeper's quarters have been long gone, dismantled by the Navy, probably for the airstrip that is next to it. St John' River Light was replaced by a light ship in 1929 then by a Modern St John's light in 1954 that is 2 miles away. It is surrounded by 20 feet of fill and to access it you must go through the window. Tower is closed to the public. But there is a museum open in the afternoons Tuesday to Sunday.

http://www.floridalighthouses.org/LightHouse.asp?Lite=StJohnsRiver

http://www.lanternroom.com/lighthouses/florida/flor02.htm

Daniel



[This message has been edited by Daniel (edited 09-29-2001).]

When I was there last year it was a good looking tower even tho it is buried quite a ways.There are rumors about raising it again hope so.it is a fine looking light.Bill O'Brien

Daniel, I sure hope you're right about HL doing the St. John's River light. It's one not too many people are aware of nor get to see since it's on the Mayport Naval Station. Plus, as you said, it's partially buried by several feet of fill dirt. I've seen drawings of the light & keepers quarters and it will certainly make a handsome addition to the list of Florida lights HL has produced.
P.S. -- Is the source of your information reliable and in a good position to know?

The source is a definite about it being in the works. The time that it comes out is my guess.

Daniel

The latest on the St. Johns River Light is that it ready for manufacturing. Looking at 5 to 7 months until it comes out. That puts it in Late summer or early fall.

Daniel

Good sluething Dan!!

Museum??? I was at Mayport last December. I had to do a lot of begging, told the gaurd at the gate how far I had driven just to see this lighthouse, and he gave me a pass to get on base. Took lots of photos but didn't know of a museum. Where is it located?

Stephanie

Hi Stephanie
There are two lighthouses at Mayport. The St John's Light Station and the St John's River Light. Both are Accessible through the Base. The St John’s River Light is at the edge of the base, at the far end of an airfield and can be viewed from outside the base. I haven’t seen the new Museum but I have been told that it is just outside the Base. That would be at the road next to the ferry.
Daniel

I'm really looking forward to getting this one! We took a plane flight over it a number of years ago. I'll have to pull out my pictures and the memories will come back to me about the fun we had on that plane ride. It should be a great piece!

Randy,

A plane ride over an active Naval Station and Naval Air Station???? Are you sure it was this light? Normally airspace around a military installation is closed, especially to light aircraft.

Dave

Yes we did Dave! The pilot got permission from the station beforehand. If I can find the picture, I will try and post it. Remember, this was 7 or 8 years ago! Not since 9-11-01.

Randy,

That is not a new rule. You were very fortunate in your flight. Highly unusual for something like that to be allowed, especially at a major command. Glad you didn't meet the business end of an F-14 in the process.....

Dave

Dave, we did have some "problems" trying to fly over Cape Canaveral Light a few years ago! The pilot got permission from NASA air space, but not from the Air Force Base there. He was told to turn the plane around immediately if not sooner! We might have gotten shot down there! We got within a few miles of the light, but not close enough to get a picture!

I remember the pilot asking permission at Mayport and explaining that he had two people that wanted to see the lighthouse and had no problem! Go Figure!

Dave,
Here is one of our pics from the plane flight.

Can anyone provide driving directions to Mayport from I-95? I'll be driving to and from Disney World in June. Donna is allowing me 4 lighthouse stops, buy if I can squeeze a fifth one out of her, I'd like this to be it. And what are my chances of actually getting on the base?

Thank you for the update. I am sure glad that it is finaly going to happen. I have been hearing about the St John's River Light possibly going to be sculpted but now it is finaly a reality. I may even have to replace my longtime favorite, Cape Canaveral, with this one.

Rich

Larry, if you can tell me when you'll be passing through the Jacksonville area, I'll be happy to guide you to the St. John's River light. It's easier to take you there than tell you how to get there. I'm retired Navy so getting you onto the Mayport Naval Station won't be a problem.

I can vouch for Stan - he got me there and on the base a couple of years ago! Thanks, Stan.

Thanks Stan. I guess my question should have been, "how far off of I-95 and how much time should be budgeted?" I'm not sure if I'll have time to do it. Of if my wife and kids will let me!

Larry, the most direct route to get to Mayport Naval Station from I-95 will be 26 miles (east on Atlantic Blvd/State Rd 10 for 21 miles, then north on Mayport Rd for 5 miles). You will have to allow a minimum of 35-45 minutes to travel that route as it passes thru some busy & congested areas of town. Let me know what you decide.

Darn.... I thought this thread was about a new Ocracoke release!

Oh well, maybe in the future...

St. Johns River would be a great addition to the line indeed. My last trip I couldn't get past the gate. Security was real tight. I did photograph and view from the fence near the ferry. Saw a lot of activity. Several helicopters doing touch and go's with crew boarding and unboarding in full combat gear. It was impressive.

I haven't seen the museum either. Didn't know there was one. Hope I can get back there again to see it. Just where outside the base is it?

Dale

Thanks again Stan. Unfortunately, we're on a tight time schedule. I guess we'll do Mayport on our next trip to Florida....whenever that is.