The Florida Lighthouse Association 15275 Collier Blvd, #201, PMB 179  Naples, Florida 34119

Thank you for stopping in to learn more about the Florida Lighthouse Association (FLA). Welcome! FLA started when a group of lighthouse enthusiasts formed the nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)3 statewide organization in July 1996. Since then the Florida Lighthouse Association has grown and helped save and protect the 30 remaining historic Florida lighthouses.

Citizens residing near most of the lighthouses have formed preservation groups in their areas to save their lighthouse. The local organizations form the backbone of the Florida Lighthouse Association and were among the founders. Most Florida residents are within 50 miles of a historic lighthouse.

Until 2009, six lighthouses had been saved and opened to the public by private, nonprofit organizations. Many our lighthouses show signs of neglect and deterioration. One, which was on the endangered list, Cape St. George, collapsed in 2005. It has been rebuilt and opened to the public by the local organization. The Florida Lighthouse Association, fulfilling a mission of helping local organizations, provided $15,000 to help with salvage and the beginning of restoration efforts, and later donated $5,000 more for the lantern room restoration. FLA also assisted in obtaining state grant money for the project.

Two other lighthouses, the Crooked River Lighthouse and Cape San Blas Lighthouse have been restored and opened to the public.

 Join us. You’ll receive a quarterly newsletter, the FLA FLASH, and be able to attend meetings at various lighthouses throughout the state, some of which are not otherwise open to the public. You’ll be contributing to a good cause with the knowledge that the maximum money of your tax-deductible membership and donation goes for the intended purpose. This all-volunteer organization has no paid staff, officers are not reimbursed for travel to meetings or personal expenses and it receives no government funds. Meetings can be fun, especially with the many special programs. You’ll meet some interesting people, all of whom care about preserving our maritime heritage, and make new friends.

The Florida Lighthouse Association kicked off a successful drive to raise funds for a specialty lighthouse license plate, which in turn raises funds for accomplishing the lighthouse preservation mission.  FLA applied for the Visit Our Lights tag in October 2007, legislation was approved by the Legislature and signed by Governor Crist in October 2008. The first plates were available December 2008 when 214 were sold. In 2009, sales have averaged nearly 160 a month. Each sale results in $25 for FLA.

Your tax deductible contribution is welcome.  Our goal is to boost the funding, influencing, publicizing and educating for Florida lighthouse preservation.

The nine lighthouses restored and open to the public include St. Augustine, Ponce de Leon Inlet, Jupiter Inlet, Cape Florida, Key West, Boca Grande, Crooked River, Cape St. George, and Cape San Blas. Each publishes scheduled times when you can visit these functional historic buildings and in some cases climb the tower. Some lighthouses are open on limited schedules, such as Pensacola and, Cape Canaveral. At some other lighthouses, visitors can walk around the lighthouse grounds but cannot enter the structures, including Sanibel Island and St. Marks. Some can be viewed only by taking a boat ride.

Our mission statement on the home page tells you our worthwhile and exciting mission.

Act now! Click through and fill out the membership form and join with the more than a thousand members and me in our quest to save our lights. Thank you for visiting our site and your interest in lighthouses. Your opinion matters to us so send me your comments: FLApresident@gmail.com. Thank you.

Last updated 10/10/2009