One Tank of GasText copyright William A. Britten from Pensacola Light.
Naval Air Station:
Lighthouse
Naval Air Station: Lighthouse
The U.S. government designated Pensacola as a Naval base in 1824, and authorized a lighthouse for the location, making Pensacola the oldest lighthouse site on the Gulf Coast. The original light was never tall enough or bright enough for such an important location, and was finally replaced in 1859. The tower's impressive height of 171 feet is augmented by its location on a hill, giving Pensacola a focal plane of 210 feet. The current first-order lens has revolving bulls-eyes to give the light its characteristic flash.
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This view of the lighthouse shows its relationship to the coastline. Sea oats in the foreground are the predominate vegetation that grow along the dunes. -
Pensacola Light is maintained by the US Coast Guard, but it is located on the Pensacola Naval Air Station. The NAS is open to the public, and the grounds are accessible for a lighthouse visit. Tours of the tower are only by appointment or during summer Sundays.
