St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
World War II
St. Augustine Lighthouse
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 17, 2014
1. World War II Marker
During World War II, German U-boats patrolled the shipping lanes off the coast of Florida attacking cargo ships carrying vital supplies across the Atlantic. For this reason, the Coast Guard maintained a strong presence at our lighthouse and used what is now Flagler College as a USCG training facility.
The Coast Guard originally constructed the green-roofed building in 1936 as a Jeep repair facility and garage. It now serves as our maintenance department.
Beginning in 1941, members of the Coast Guard, known as “Coasties” or Guardsmen, lived here on site in a small barracks while serving as lookouts at the top of the lighthouse.
Erected by St. Augustine Lighthouse Maritime Museum.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list.
Location. 29° 53.147′ N, 81° 17.298′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. Memorial can be reached from Lighthouse Avenue south of Carver Street East when traveling south. Marker is on the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lighthouse and Keepers House (a few steps from this marker); 1886 Well (within shouting distance of this marker); 1872 North Privy (within shouting distance of this marker); 1888 Outdoor Kitchens (within shouting distance of this marker); 1872 South Privy (within shouting distance of this marker); Sentinels of the Coast (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Watchtower and Lighthouse (about 600 feet away); St. Augustine on Anastasia Island (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.
More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque mounted in a tall, wooden "billboard-style" frame.
Also see . . . Florida's World War II U-Boat War. Visit Florida website entry:
The waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean are littered with rusting hulks of freighters and the submarines that sank them in the opening months of World War II. These war relics are the favorite haunts of recreational scuba divers, but few know the full story of the last time hostile warships patrolled American waters. (Submitted on November 30, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marker detail: Coasties in front of their barracks
The building would have housed as many as six men at a time.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 17, 2014
3. World War II Marker (wide view; old Jeep repair facility building in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 30, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
