The first St. Augustine Lighthouse was originally a wooden watchhouse. By 1737, the Spanish replaced earlier construction with a new 30-foot watchtower made of coquina (shell rock) and wood. A canoe was kept at the centinella for helping those stationed there warn the town of approaching vessels. A spar with halyards was raised to signal the direction from which ships traveled. Ships coming from the north might signal an enemy arrival. This photo shows the ruins of the first lighthouse, just yards away from the current St. Augustine Lighthouse, which was completed in 1874. #staugustinelighthouse #floridahistory #lighthouse #watchtower #tower #stafla #staugustine #florida #saintaugustine #nonprofit #museum #historicphoto #vintage #photography #photooftheday #staugustinefl #lighthousehistory