Lighthouse Reference Books

For those who would like to learn more about lighthouses, below is  a list of suggested books. The FLA Online Store has numerous publications and lighthouse maps available.

A Light In The Wilderness: The Story of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & the Southeast Florida Frontier
by James D. Snyder. Published by Pharos Books.

America's Lighthouses, An Illustrated History by Francis Ross Holland, Jr.; Dover Publications, Inc 
Written by an historian of the National Park Service this book describes the founding and operation of over 200 of America's coastal and inland lighthouses. It contains over 100 historic engravings, draings and photographs.

American Lighthouses, A Definitive Guide by Bruce Roberts and Ray Jones; The Globe Pequot Press 
With beautiful color photos this book covers over 500 lighthouses on America's coasts and lakes. Details the history and architecture and provides full information on visiting or just viewing each of them.

American Lighthouses, A Pictorial History by Jill Caravan; Courage Books 
Details the origins of lighthouses and details their evolution from the earliest towers to modern marvels of architecture and automated technology.

Bansemer's Book of Florida Lighthouses by Roger Bansemer; Pineapple Press, Inc.
Written and fully illustrated by internationally known artist, Roger Bansmer, this book depicts Florida's thirty lighthouses in over 200 paintings and sketches.  Contains interesting stories on each lighthouse and its surroundings.

Cedar Keys Light Station The Cedar Keys Light Station on the island of Seahorse Key off Florida’s Gulf Coast has stood a solitary vigil for more than 157 years. This sturdy sentential has survived devastating hurricanes, the assault by Union troops, as well as years of abandonment. Learn the history of one of America’s lesser known treasures.
Drawn to the Light, the History of Cape Canaveral and its People by Sonny Witt; Central Plains Book
The history of the Cape Canaveral area starting with the Ais Indians, the early homesteaders through the construction of the first brick lighthouse as well as the present iron lighthouse. Included are the stories of the lighthouse keepers and their families.

The Florida Lighthouse Trail (2nd Edition) by Josh Liller & The Florida Lighthouse Association, Inc., Pineapple Press.  A guide to Florida’s lighthouses, past and present, illustrated by Paul Bradley.  The 1st Edition, published in 2001, was a collaborative effort among many members of FLA and edited by Tom Taylor.  The 2nd Edition, published in 2020, substantially updated and expanded information on all of the lighthouses. It also provides supplementary information on subjects such as Fresnel lenses used in Florida and a history of the Florida Lighthouse Association.  Josh Liller was editor and major contributor for the new edition, with contributions by many current FLA members.  Available on Amazon.

Florida Lighthouses by John Hairr; Arcadia Publishing
A visual tour of Florida's lighthouses through the use of vintage photographs.

Florida Lighthouses by Kevin McCarthy; University of Florida Press
Generously illustrated with colored drawings by William Trotter, this book covers the construction, history and operations of all thirty of Florida's lighthouses and its one lightship. Several pages are devoted to each lighthouse, providing a map and detailed directions for reaching each one.

Florida Lighthouses in the Civil War by Neil E. Hurley
Florida’s Territorial Lighthouses, 1821-1845 by Thomas W. Taylor
Keepers of the Light by Myrna Robers Kanekkeberg.  Chronicles Myrna's family who were keepers of the St. Marks Lighthouse for three generations.  Can be purchased at The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge gift shop, Wakulla County Historical Society shop in Crawfordville, Posh Gifts and Organics in Sopchoppy and Bo Lynn’s Grocery in St. Marks.

Lighting Carysfort Reef (Vol 1 & 2) by Neil E. Hurley

Lighthouses of the Florida Keys by Love Dean; Pineapple Press Inc
The stories and histories of the twelve lighthouse of the Florida Keys. The six reef lights from Fowey Rock to Sand Key comprise the largest collection of wrought-iron skeletal lighthouses in the world. Love Dean was a boating enthusiast, both powered and sail, and operated her own boat for years.

Lighthouse Spotter's Guide by Michael J. Rhein 
Comes with a clear plastic protective cover and is geared toward folks who travel to lots of lighthouses. It is a quick reference guide (complete with "spotter's notes) and includes images and brief information on many lights in the United States and Canada.

More Beautiful Lighthouses - Pictorial Field Guide by John Spatuzzi
Over 250 color photographs of lighthouse around the USA.

So You Want to Move to Florida by Stan Farnham; AuthorHouse
Stan Farnham, FLA past president, wrote this book geared towards those contemplating a move to Florida, but it serves the present Florida residents as well. It is filled with valuable information on dealing with Florida regulations, saving money on home purchases and interesting things to do in Florida. It has one entire chapter devoted to Florida's lighthouses. For more information: SoYouWantToMoveToFlorida.com.

Southeastern Lighthouses, Outer Banks to Cape Florida by Bruce Roberts and Ray Jones, Globe Pequot Press. Beautifully illustrated with Bruce Roberts color photographs this book details the histories of the lighthouses of the South East coast.

The (Almost) Complete History of the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse by Ralph Kruger

The Lighthouse Almanac by Elinor DeWire; Sentinel Publications.  A compendium of science, history and fascinating lore about the American Lighthouse compiled in almanac fashion by the month and date.

The Key West Lighthouse: A Light in Paradise by Thomas W. Taylor

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse: An Illustrated History by Ellen J. Henry