The Mayport Lighthouse Association (MLA) has announced the receipt of a $75,000 grant from the Florida Lighthouse Association (FLA), along with a $10,000 preservation grant from the United States Lighthouse Society (USLHS). These contributions will fund a feasibility study to explore the safe relocation of the historic St. Johns River Lighthouse to the scenic Mayport Village waterfront.
First lit on Jan. 1, 1859, the St. Johns River Lighthouse is currently located on Naval Station Mayport (NSM), where the only access is through the lowest window. The door is buried under 8 to 10 feet of fill dirt added in the 1940s during construction of the airfield.
As the lighthouse is near an active runway and security checkpoint, it’s inaccessible to the public and vulnerable due to military operations. The proposed new location along the Mayport Village waterfront would allow much needed restoration work, public access and increased economic and cultural activity.
Michael Blake Architects, LLC, hired to conduct the feasibility study, has assembled a team of architects, engineers and moving contractors experienced in lighthouse preservation. ICC Commonwealth, the firm serving as a consultant, successfully moved the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 2,900 feet inland in 1999.
Further, as an affiliate partner of the USLHS, MLA has access to expert guidance in historic preservation efforts. This partnership ensures that any future move of the St. Johns River Lighthouse will meet the highest standards of safety, engineering and historical integrity.
In fall 2024, MLA opened discussions with City of Jacksonville Councilman Matt Carlucci, who drafted and introduced a resolution supporting the feasibility study. Six additional council members added their names in support of the resolution. The resolution passed unanimously through both the Rules Committee and the full Jacksonville City Council. It was officially signed by Mayor Donna Deegan on Feb. 14. That same day, NSM Commanding Officer Capt. Brian Binder issued a formal letter supporting the feasibility study. MLA also received letters of support from the Mayport Waterfront Partnership (MWP) and U.S. Rep. John Rutherford.
“The feasibility study is an indispensable first step towards our ultimate vision of a restored lighthouse accessible to the public that preserves Mayport’s maritime heritage and shines a light on all Mayport Village has to offer,” said MLA Vice-President Elizabeth Boggs. “We especially want to thank Naval Station Mayport, the Jacksonville City Council, Mayor Donna Deegan, the Mayport Waterfront Partnership and Congressman John Rutherford for their support of our efforts to save the St. Johns River Lighthouse.”
“While the Mayport Lighthouse Association is working towards making The St. Johns River Lighthouse available to the public by moving it to the Mayport waterfront, The Mayport Waterfront Partnership is in the planning stages of redeveloping approximately seven acres of City of Jacksonville-owned riverfront in the village,” said MLA President Dan Hogan. “We envision that the lighthouse will be the crown jewel of this redevelopment, which includes docks for commercial fishing/shrimping boats, recreational boating docks and public park space. We can visualize families coming out to enjoy the day, travelers making it a destination and motorists on A1A and The St. Johns River Ferry or boaters on the water discovering a delightful stop along their journey.”
