Florida - Key West Lighthouse

This lighthouse is located at Key West, FL. The original tower, built in 1826, was built on Whitehead Point and was the island's first lighthouse. It predates the city which later grew up around it, making it Florida's most "urban" lighthouse. Its purpose was to help ships find their way through the perilously narrow strait between the Gulf Stream and Florida Reef. So critical was it to navigation that it was quickly rebuilt after a massive hurricane brought it down in 1846. A temporary beacon mounted atop a wooden tripod replaced the fallen sentinel until another lighthouse was erected in 1848. The new tower, a 65-foot brick structure, was located on higher ground 1200-feet inland. However, as taller buildings went up in Key West, it became difficult for mariners to distinguish the lighthouse's beacon. So, in 1893 the tower's height was increased by 20-feet. The light was automated in 1915 and the Coast Guard discontinued the light in 1969.

The Federal Government transferred ownership of the station to Monroe County, which leases it to the Key West Art and Historical Society. They restored and were maintaining the lighthouse at the time of my visit here in 2001. The light was active. Eighty-eight spiral stairs lead to the watch room where visitors can step out for the best view of Key West.

Florida - Cape Canaveral Lighthouse

The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is located on the NASA Space Center property at Cape Canaveral, FL. Its tower stands 134-feet tall and the lantern room was originally fitted with a first-order Fresnel lens. This lighthouse was built in 1868 and is made of metal plates lined with brick.

The original Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, built in 1848, was located about a mile from the one pictured above. That lighthouse was made of brick and stood 65-feet tall. Its light was provided by a series of lamps and reflectors. Years later officials determined the lighthouse was not tall enough and did not provide adequate navigational aid to mariners.

In 1868 this new lighthouse, one above, was built close by the original. After several years, due to erosion by the ocean, officials feared the newer lighthouse would eventually be destroyed. So, it was moved to its current location (pictured above) in 1894. The lighthouse was automated in 1967. The first-order Fresnel lens was removed in 1993 due to being damaged by the vibration from rockets launching. The lens was replaced by a beacon.

At the time of my visit here in 2001 this was an active light.