After being darkened during the Civil War, on June 1, 1867, the Old Spanish watchtower once more became a functioning lighthouse with the return of its light. Nevertheless, it soon became clear that the structure would soon lose the battle with Mother Nature as the sea continued to erode the land around the lighthouse.

After several reports to the United States Lighthouse Board referencing the erosion and encroaching seas, Congress approved the money for a new St. Augustine Lighthouse tower. The construction of the tower began in 1871, but what was supposed to be a benefit to public transportation and safety, soon turned to tragedy.

Superintendent of Lighthouse Construction, Hezekiah Pittee, moved from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, with his family to oversee construction of the new St. Augustine Lighthouse. Hezekiah lived on site with his wife Mary and their children, Mary Adelaide, Eliza, Edward, and Carrie. Just as child would do, the Pittee children turned the construction site into a playground inviting the children of the workers into their fun.

By 1873, only the foundation and forty-two feet of the 165-foot tower were completed. A railway cart moved the supplies from supply ships docked at Salt Run to the building site. Riding the cart down to the water was a favorite pastime of the Pittee children. They used the cart as a Victorian era rollercoaster, riding the cart to the water and bringing it back up the site to ride again. Only a wooden board at the end of the rail stopped the cart from tipping over into the water......It is considered to be one of the most haunted place in America