Open to the Public May thru October
Saturdays Noon to 4:00

The PENSACOLA LIGHTHOUSE is still an active aid to navigation. Its flashing white beacon faithfully shines at 20-second intervals and is visible 27 miles out to sea.
Pensacola is the oldest lighthouse site on the Gulf Coast. It is also the tallest on the Gulf Coast – standing a proud 171 feet tall on a high bluff on the north side of Pensacola Pass. The lighthouse is built of brick and rests on a 40-foot deep granite foundation. The walls are 10-feet thick at the base and 3-feet thick at the top. There are 177 winding wrought-iron steps which wrap around a center pole leading to the top of the tower.

History - On April 12, 1861, the day that the first shot of the Civil War was fired at Ft. Sumter, Confederate troops occupying Ft. Barrancas extinguished the light. This was to prevent Union Naval ships from using the beacon to re-supply Union troops occupying Ft. Pickens. In late 1861 and early 1862, the two armies battled each other across the bay and during the ensuing artillery fire, the lighthouse was struck several times by solid shot. Fortunately, damage to the tower was minimal.
Following the evacuation of the Confederates, the Union Army tried to re-exhibit the light. ...Read More