The first lighthouse was erected in 1830, after the U.S. purchase of Florida, but it was built too close to the water and had to be demolished just three years later.

In order to avoid the problems of its predecessors, it was constructed away from the shoreline and was substantially taller.

That year it was replaced by the St. Johns Lightship (LV-84), moored about 8 miles (13 km) offshore of the river's mouth.

It has never had a traditional lantern, but had an airway-beacon style light from the beginning until 1998 when it was replaced by a Vega VRB-25 system.

[2] The east wing was renovated by the United States Coast Guard Northeast Florida Chapter of the Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA).