Also in 1836, the Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida petitioned Congress for a lighthouse to mark the entrance to St. Joseph Bay.

The lighthouse was a 55-foot (17 m) white conical brick tower, with 15 lamps with 16-inch (410 mm) reflectors at a height of 50 feet (15 m).

In the meantime the town of St. Joseph had boomed, and hosted the 1838 convention to draft Florida's first constitution.

In the 20th century the city of Port St. Joe was established about two miles (3 km) north of the site of old St. Joseph.

The under part was later completely enclosed and used as barracks for troops who patrolled the shore in the area during World War II.

The light station was very isolated in the early years, as the nearest town was 14 miles (23 km) away.